ACTIVITY IN EGYPT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24368, 2 September 1942, Page 2

ACTIVITY IN EGYPT

It is too soon, and information is too scanty, to judge whether Rommel s move on the southern flank of the Egyptian front means that the battle for the Nile Valley is about to be renewed in full force. The War Office communique speaks of fighting on a major scale, but does not say on how wide a front it is taking place. Whatever is happening at the moment, there may not be much more delay before the real test of strength comes. Recent reports from many sources have agreed in saying that Rommel has been substantially reinforced. Owing to the proximity of Italy and Greece, his reinforcements are likely to been much greater than ours, which have to go by the Cape. The turn of the season is at hand here, as in Europe, and the coming of conditions favourable to campaigning will be swifter than the onset of winter, even in the northern sections of the Russian front. If Rommel has really decided to strike, he is only a little earlier] in the field than Craziani was in j 1910. The Italian advance to Solium I and Sidi Barrani was made in midSeptember. If doing no more, Rommel is obviously probing the de- j fences of the southern flank. It has recently been stated that the sectoi on the edge of the Qattara Depression is quite suitable for mechanised operations, and he is doubtless taking advantage of this fact. The Eighth Army, including the New Zealand Division, may soon be fully in action again. Rested, reinforced and with a new commander, it can be trusted to give a good account ot