CLASH OF TANKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24370, 4 September 1942, Page 3

CLASH OF TANKS

THRUST OVER DESERT

BOMBING TARGET IN DARK LONDON, Sept. 2 British tanks, waiting in "hull down" positions south of the Ruweisak Ridge, early yesterday sent salvo after salvo crashing into Rommel's armoured forces as they thrust across the desert, reports Reuter's correspondent on the El Alaraein front. It was the signal for the start of the first great tank battle since the Axis forces were halted at El Alamein two months ago. The General Grant tanks opened up from behind ridges and others moved forward, while the six-pounder antitank guns fired in support. The battle raged until dusk, and it is believed that a number of German Mark 111. and Mark IV. tanks were knocked out, though not necessarily destroyed. The tank battle was joined again yesterday, but the outcome cannot be estimated at this stage. Armour Caught in Depression Rommel's forces after dark went into laagers. L'sing .flares, our planes located a heavy concentration of enemy motor transport in a depression, and also a number of enemy tanks, with tired crews asleep beside them in another depression. Wellington bombers attacked these two laagers and started fires in what is described as the most successful night raid for several months. The attack continued until the sun rose and pilots were able- to count 30 fires. According to another report, the Allied Air Force was also sent out on other raids to "liven things up." Some of yesterday's fighting was .fierce while it lasted. Tanks were in conflict in the southern sector and largo-scale air operations were going on at the same time. British Not Tempted The initial clash occurred an hour before sunset on Monday. The British armoured forces had waited all day for dhe pan/.ors to approach, refusing to be tempted from their own arivan- § tageous position to rush into an enfgagement in which they might suffer from the 88-millimetr© guns which generally are in close support of the (German tanks. A desert correspondent, in a despatch, describes the terrain as fairly good country for armour. German tanks and motoriscd infantry came forward in considerable strength, nosing their way east and south-east. The battle went on through the morning and early afternoon. There was a lull until about seven o'clock, when the fighting was renewed and went on until it ceased with darkness.