A PAUSE IN LIBYA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 5

A PAUSE IN LIBYA

ENEMY'S DIFFICULTIES AIR SUPPORT INSUFFICIENT ; PROBLEM OF SUPPLIES (Rec. 10 p.m.) CAIRO. Jan. 28 The most .substantial point in today's communique is that the Germans in Libya have been almost stationary for 48 hours. It is inadvisable to consider their advance ended as the Germans may be gathering units and supplies for a new drive, but whatever the reason for the pause the British are utilising it as well as the enemy. The British are in a stronger position to check the thrust than General Wavell's depleted forces were last April. More is known about General Rommel's methods, his strength, and limitations. The problem of supply governs his movements and there is reason to believe that his supplies are under a Quarter of what was collected last April. General Rommel apparently has not obtained adequate air support and the Luftwaffe has been less active during the last few days than at the beginning of the advance, whereas R.A.F. action increases every day. The second phase is awaited. The initiative still possibly rests with the enemy, but apart from unexpected disasters it is difficult to believe that the remnants of the shattered Axis divisions can constitute a serious threat to the Britisn hold on Libya. ENEMY OCCUPY MSUS BRITISH PLANES CAUSE HAVOC RUGBY, Jan. 28. A Middle East Cairo communique states: "The situation generally remains unaltered. With the conclusion of what may be the first phase of the present operations, it is not possible to give a clear picture of the fighting which has taken place during the last week. For seven days highly mobile German columns operated with skill and determination over a wide area from El Agheila to Msus. their main axis of advance being along the road joining these places, During this phase the heavy going of the road, caused by abnormal rain, together with the fluid character of the fighting, made it impossible for us to concentrate in any one area, and the operations resolved into a series of engagements between the enemy's columns and ours, which fought with equal tenacity. " Exploiting his initial success of January' 21-22, when strong columns penetrated our light screen and reoccupied Jedabaya, the enemy regained the local initiative in this area. Enemy troops are in Msus. and our mobile columns and patrols are in touch with the enemy on a general line from Soluk to just north-east of Msus, with patrols well forward to the south.

" Throughout the operations the cooperation of our air forces has been magnificent. Great havoc was observed amongst enemy mechanised transport between Antelat and Msus. Enemy columns at Antelat and about Msus itself were successfully engaged." Isolated Engagements It is now possible to give a fuller account of the Axis attack in Libya. The Axis forces concentrated on the El Agheila area advanced along the main road to Jedabaya, and the British advanced light forces east of El Agheila, which were mostly in the desert south-east of the road, were thus caught at a disadvantage and forced to withdraw. Our forces became separated, and a series of local engagements ensued over a very wide area. While these isolated engagements continue, it is difficult to obtain a clear genera] picture of the situation, which is still fluid. It is thought some concentration of British forces is now proceeding, and evidently a certain measure of stabilisation of concentration will be necessary before any counter-measures can be put into operation. It remains to be seen whether the Axis forces intend or are able to advance further from the Msus region, where the head of their advance has apparently been for a day or two. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: Our fighters continued their intensive attacks on enemy motorised units on the Msus-Antelat and MsusSheleidima tracks throughout Tuesday. Scheleidima is about 20 miles south-east of Soluk, These operations were most successful, and many enemy motor transport vehicles were destroyed, set on fire, or severely damaged. Our aircraft also attacked tented camps and other objectives in the battle area with good results. Elsewhere a further force of fighters machine-gunned enemy road convoys west of Sirte. a number of vehicles being destroyed. During Monday night our bombers again raided enemy motor tranport in the Jedabaya and El Agheila areas. Lorries, fuel-carrying transport, and a wireless station near Horns in Tripolitania were effectively bombed and machine-gunned by our aircraft during the night. At Catania, in Sicily, our bombs straddled hangars, and hits were made on runways. At Comise, in Sicily, buildings, hangars, and runways were hit, and a violent explosion was observed. One of our aircraft is missing