EVENTS GO WELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24423, 5 November 1942, Page 3

EVENTS GO WELL

MANY PRISONERS TAKEN DESPERATION OF AXIS EFFORT TO STEM GAP JTRerd. 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1 The battle in Egypt is progressing in the manner which General Montgomery intended, says a correspondent at the front. Things have gone ■well so far. Italian and German prisoners have been coming to the cages behind the lines in considerable numbers' for 24 hours. It is evident from their statements that the Germans realise they must fight to the death or relinquish their prospects of conquering the Nile Delta. In a desperate effort to seal the breach in his line Rommel hurled in his armoured forces for six hours, but without success, says the British United Press correspondent. Royal Air Force and American planes roared overhead as the enemy's armour withdrew. Wo Respite For Rommel Rommel is not being given time to reszroup and the battlefield is littered with the wrecks of Axis tanks and trucks. Scores of tanks were burning on both sides of the line last night. 1 lie Germans had hurled their armour against the mouth ot tin* bridge, but our tanks, anti-tank guns and artillery fought back and not an inch ol the ground gained was given up. Describing how the battle began, the correspondent says the tanks came in earlv, in the brilliant morning sunlight. The Germans had lost many tanks the previous day and it was the Italians who were sent in to open the morning's werk. Our anti-tank gunners went into the job with enthusiasm and perfect aim. Within half an hour six of the Italian tanks were belching out flames and smoke. German tanks then came up and the fiercest fighting since the new bnttln was launched is now swaying across the desert sands. Effect on Other Flank Renter's correspondent said earlier fhat, with British tanks inside the German lines and fighting occurring to the north and west, of the bridgehead, which at that stage was only just deep enough to let our armour through, it was a dusty, smoky hull on both sides. As a result of the Allied breakthrough, says Renter's correspondent, it is clear that the Eighth Army now has acquired room for manoeuvring. The present attack may have repercussions on Rommel's positions in the south, where his right flank, forming fin arc toward the Allied lines, hinges on the Qattara .Depression. The fighting in the coastal area assumes secondary importance as a result of the new development. Tf the new advance goes well the situation on the coast will automatically improve.

Indications point to a breaking-up of the slogging infantry war of the past week, with a return to armour and movement and all that this implies. One correspondent, says that the old static 40-rnile line from Tel el Lisa to T'.l Bimeimat is steadily becoming a thing O! the past. BRITISH LOSSES AT SEA PUBLICITY ADVOCATED LONDON. Nov. 4 A select committee of the House ol Commons published a \\ hite Paper to-day advocating publicity for British shipping losses. The committee's report recommends that some facts ahout shipping losses, not necessarily in the form of a monthly statement, should he considered from the point of view of stimulating output. Oilier points from the committees recommendations are: —That a larger proportion of women between 20 and <3O should be made available for shipbuilding; that the proportion of women in marine engineering should be increased; that a review should be made of all yards engaged exclusively on naval work to find out what maximum of merchant shipbuilding could be made without interference with naval work.