ADVANCE CHECKED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24827, 29 January 1942, Page 5

ADVANCE CHECKED

ROMMEL'S COLUMNS STRAFED BY AIRCRAFT TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) CAIRO, Jan. 28. It is authoritatively stated that the R.A.F.'s strafing on Monday, in which the R.A.A.F. also participated, checked General Rommel's advance. The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Express reported that the pilots, with guns blazing, roared down to 50 feet over moving enemy columns, leaving a trail of destruction. Troops dashing to safety were shot down as they ran. The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Mail says it is hoped that the initiative will again be in our hands in a day or two. The situation is described in London as fluid, and it is pointed out that the position must be stabilised before counter measures can be taken. It is now known that when General Rommel commenced his advance eastwards his forces were opposed only by a light screen of British troops, the remainder having moved to the south to take up new positions. These had to withdraw quickly and fight a series of scattered engagements, many of which are still in progress. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "In spite of severe sandstorms, our fighters were extremely active over the entire battle area in Libya yesterday. Intensive and highlysuccessful machine-gunning attacks were made on eriemy tanks and armoured car units moving along the desert tracks leading from Msus to Charruba, Soluk, Saunnu, and Antelat. Many enemy vehicles were completely destroyed or severely damaged, IV)-ny fires were seen, and heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy troops. Our aircraft destroyed a Macchi 200. " Our bombers on Sunday night raided enemy forces in the Jedabaya, El Agheila and Antelat areas. Fires and explosions were observed. One of our planes is missing." The Minister of State in the Middle East, Mr Oliver Lyttelton, at a press conference, said he was firmly convinced that the Allies now had sufficient troops and material in the Middle East to hold off any Axis threat. He added that the enemy had lost nearly all the war material prepared for the invasion of Egypt and also two-thirds of his totar fighting strength.