DELAYING ACTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 5

DELAYING ACTION

INDIANS IN LIBYA UNDER HEAVY PRESSURE ROMIftEL'S RHNFORCEMENTS • (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 4. General Rommel's advance in the hilly country east of Barce is still being delayed by the Fourth Indian Division, which is under heavy pressure. It is evident that Rommel has received reinforcements.

Around Msus the southern wing of the enemy advance is being • vigorously attacked by our mobile columns. British, South African and Australian air. fighters have given our forces effective support. The enemy's long supply lines from Barce to Tripoli have been heavily pounded.

The main heavy forces at the disposal of the British Command have not yet made contact with the enemy. A Cairo communique states: "In the desert area north-east of Msus our mobile columns have continued their offensive activities over the whole front, engaging the enemy wherever he is found. In the Jebel-Akdar area our 4th Indian Division is continuing its withdrawal under continuous pressure from the enemy, who apparently has been reinforced. Our air forces, and particularly our fighter patrols, gave close and effective support throughout the day to the 4th Indian Division and our mobile columns."

An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "In spite of unfavourable weather fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. and the S.A.A.F. were active in the battle area of Western Cyrenaica during Monday. It is now known that on Sunday enemy motorised units and fuel-carrying transport were effectively attacked with machine-guns and cannon fire on the roads between Sirte and Rasel-Aali in Tripolitania. as well as in the Maraua area of Cyrenaica. Casualties were inflicted on enemy personnel, and vehicles and fuel carriers were destroyed, set on fire or badly damaged. " Bomber aircraft. again attacked enemy road convoys west of Buerat-el-Hsun, with good results. Concentrations of enemy motor transport in the Jedabaya and Mersa Berga areas were raided by our bombers during the night. The results could not be observed. From these operations all our aircraft returned safely."