DOMINION TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24773, 25 November 1941, Page 7

DOMINION TROOPS

BARDIA OCCUPIED ADVANCE CONTINUED GREAT TANK BATTLE RAGING RUGBY, Nov. 23. The occupation of Bardia by the New Zealand forces is reported in a Middle East war communique from Cairo issued to-day. The communique states: "The centre of gravity of the main tank battle between the British and German armoured forces now appears to be about Sidi Rezegh. Throughout the night the battle continued without cessation, and it is continuing this morning. " Meanwhile the New Zealand forces, in the face of exceptional climatic difficulties, continued yesterday their advance from their initial positions west of Sidi Omar. Rapidly capturing Sidi Azeiz and Capuzzo, these forces pushed on westwards around the Trigh-Capuzzo road. By yesterday evening they had reached positions south of Gambut, leaving a detachment to occupy Bardia, which was reported clear of the enemy. "While these operations were proceeding, Indian troops captured Sidi Omar and Nuovo, gradually extending the area of their penetration in the rear of the defensive positions held between Halfaya and Sidi Omar. Continuing their advance against the opposition, British forces from Tobruk again captured many hundreds of prisoners, of which 50 per cent, are Germans.

"Continuous air support was given by our air forces throughout the day. Low-flying bomber and fighter attacks were made on enemy tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport. and much damage was inflicted."

"Great Feat of Arms"

The New Zealanders encircled Capuzzo on the first day of the battle after crossing the frontier immediately south of Capuzzo, says the Cairo correspondent of The Times. The Indian troops at the coastal end of the line simultaneously crossed the frontier and got behind the enemy's forts north of Capuzzo. There was apparently not much left behind in Solium except a fair amount of supplies which were of no use to the Germans because they were .unable to get them where they were wanted. Major-general Mackesy, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says the capture of Capuzzo by, the New Zealanders constitutes a great feat of arms, involving complete encirclement of this strong point in the rear of the Halfaya and Sidi Omar positions. The Cairo correspondent of an exchange says it is now learned that the Tobruk defenders, sallying out on November 20, took prisoner 1100 Italians and Germans. The Times reveals that English and Polish troops with tanks were gradually transported to Tobruk before the offensive, permitting the bulk of the Australians to be withdrawn "for a short, well-earned rest." The Pome radio declared: "Violent fighting continues in North Africa, and it is going in favour of the Axis. We took a British general prisoner." It is learned that the Italians and Germans are running short of petrol. The British forces have ample supplies. I . The military spokesman in Cairo said that the battle in Libya was going at full blast. It was too vearly to tell what course the battle will finally take—whether General Rommel will fight to the finish where he is or try to get out of the ring. Culmination of the battle is apparently imminent, but it may go on to-day and to-morrow. It is getting more and more intense. This is no "cakewalk." The German armoured forces are fighting desperately, giving battle everywhere. It is false to suppose that the Germans are at present fighting a' battle of retreat.

A Terrific

."The tank battle around Sidi Rezegh, seen from the air, looks like a huge prehistoric arena with fire-breathing, scaly-hided monsters pitted against one another in a terrific struggle," said a British fighter pilot in Cairo. He added: "These monsters lumber slowly forward, swing this way and that wav, each intent on the other's destruction. The battle seems to be raging for miles. The enemy used to pop off at us when we attacked, but since Friday their hands have been full trying to stand up to the British tank attacks. Guns are blazing away on all sides. We hear the crackle of firing above the roar of our engines, and the gun flashes outdo any fireworks display I have ever seen. It looked like a concentrated hell of shell against shell, steel against steel."