ROMMEL'S DRIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24832, 4 February 1942, Page 5

ROMMEL'S DRIVE

SLOWED DOWN DELAYING ACTIONS FOUGHT INDIAN DIVISION'S TASK (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. On the Libyan battlefront Rommel's advance through the hilly country near the coast has been slowed down by the, delaying action fought by the 4th Indian Further south, northreast of Msus, the British forces are operating in many, small flying columns, which are continually harr assing the advance of the Axis forces. The military correspondent of The Times, referring to the position in Cyrenaica, says that, the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 'Middle East, General Sir Claude Auchinleck, must either counter-at- - Rommel-s r forces, pr withdraw further. There, is no prospect of making a stand in the present position. A Cairo communique issued last' nigljt stated: "Our 4th Indian Division is conducting a withdrawal in Jebel Akdar, east of Barce, in close contact with the enemy, who is following up this movement in considerable strength. On January 31, at Maraua, the 11th Indian Infantry Brigade carried out -a successful counter-attack in which many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Yesterday the same brigade again counterattacked and checked the enemy.

• "in the area north-east of Msus bur mobile columns continue offensive activity. Yesterday an enemy' mechanised column was engaged and four vehicles were captured, with some prisoners. Throughout the course of yesterday's operations our air forces continued to render effective support to . operations on land, while bur bombers during the night of January 31-February l attacked mechanical transport columns in the area of El Agheila-Jedabaya, starting a number of fires. Bold Break-through " The 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, which was covering Benghazi before our evacuation of the town and port, has how returned to bases in East Cyrehaica almost intact as regards its fighting personnel. During the night of January 28-29, when the decision to evacuate Benghazi was taken after the encirclement of the area by strong Axis forces, this brigade decided to break out southwards. This operation was successfully carried out in the face of abnormally difficult conditions.' Surrounded by German and Italian tank formations, and strongly supported by motorised infantry, the 7th Indian infantry Brigade boldly broke through, inflicting casualties and taking prisoners in the course of its march over 200 miles of desert in most of which enemy columns were operating. "The necessary engineer and other units to carry but the pre-arranged demolition programme in Benghazi had perforce to be left behind at that place, and, it is feared, were unable to effect their withdrawal." Enemy Targets Bombed

An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "Enemy supply columns in the Misurata, El Agheila, and Jedabaya areas were effectively bombed by' our aircraft during Saturday night., ..A number of vehicles were seen to blow up and many others were seriously damaged. Several petrol lorries were set on fire. During Sunday our fighters maintained their patrols. Throughout the day enemy transport whenever seen was macMne-gunned. "Tripoli was raided on Saturday night. Many hits were obtained on a motor transport depot, and fires were started. One heavy bomb which hit the Spanish Fort caused a violent explosion. On the same night other bombers attacked some enemy naval vessels.

" One of the two merchant vessels which were torpedoed by naval aircraft during Friday night was again sighted., the following night. It was stationary and on fire. "Malta was again raided by tfie enemy on Saturday night. There was some damage and a small'number of casualties.

" From all these operations none of our aircraft is missing."