ROMMEL'S DRIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24836, 9 February 1942, Page 6

ROMMEL'S DRIVE

PATROL ACTIVITY CONTINUES MAJOR FORCES NOT YET ENGAGED (Rec/6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. An Italian communique states that Axis advanced troops' reached £1 Gazala and re-occupied the oasis at Gialo. '•;■: ■■■■;■ ■:-■'■ It is authoritatively announced that the main forces are not yet engaged in Libya, although there is considerable patrol activity on both sides. The Berlin-correspondent of the TidninS en, Stockholm,.'says it is. believed. in lerlin ,that General 'Rommel .is how strong : enough. to . drive through to Egypt, even as far as Alexandria. His large reinforcements, are explained by the presence of strong forces of U- . boats in the . Mediterranean, which have forced the British Navy- on the defensive. Military; authorities believe that General Sir Claude Auchinleck, the British Commander-in-Chief, is unable to get reinforcements at present; . -'■', ..; :J■'■'•»■:V- ■ A Middle East war communique from Cairo states: "While there is no change in the land situation yesterday our.air forces had a particularly sue-, cessful day. At various points along the enemy lines of communications in and around Jebelakdar columns of enemy, mechanical transport were attacked. iA large number of vehicles were set on fire and destroyed.. Many 'casualties were inflicted on enemy .personnel." '■ A successful air attack on a motor transport park in Tripoli early, oh Thursday morning; did.considerable .damage, fires being followed by num.-, erous heavy expldsiohSy states the Air Ministry. A dlepbt Which lies east of the harbour, nearly half a mile square, and containing workshops, stores, buildings and yards for parking lorries, was attacked: AID FROM VIGHY SUPPLIES DISCLOSURE IN LONDON RUGBY, Feb. 6. It is stated in authoritative quarters in London that there is every reason to accept the accuracy of reports that Vichy is now a party to the supply' of the enemy army iniLibya. Vichy is sending supplies to Tunis, ostensibly for the French, army, to, replace material surrendered under the FrenchiGerman armistice;: but these will never breach, nor has it been iintended! that ithey should reach, the French army. They are despatched instead from Tunisia for the relief and assistance of ;the Germans in Libya. • Enemy supply lines across the Mediterranean are extremely difficult to interrupt. The sea passage is short, and can be practically completed under ■cover of darkness. In any case, the transports and supply ships sail under ia formidable aircraft screen provided by enemy machines based on Sicily, i ;; American interest 1 A REQUEST TO VICHY , (Rec. 9.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 7. The Under-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, said that the United States had asked the Vichy Government for information in regard to the published reports of French aid to the Axis in the Libyan v campaign. f AIR OFFENSIVE RAID ON~BENGHAZI (Rec' 11 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 7. Successful air operations in Cyrenaica, particularly on Thiu"sday, are described in an R.A.F. Middle East communique. Fighter aircraft continued to attack enemy forward columns In Cyrenaica throughout yesterday, and bombers also were active. In the Lamluda district a number of motor transport vehicles were set on fire and others severely damaged: Complete reports show that Thursday was one of the most successful diys of the campaign for our fighters and bombers. Effective action was taken against enemy bases by day and night. During Thursday night harbour installations at Benghazi and the aerodrome at Berka were raided.' At Benghazi fires broke out at the base of the Cathedral mole and Juliana mole, and in the inner harbour. At Berka violent explosions accompanied by a large fire were observed. On the same night the harbour at Tripoli and a motor transport park to the south of the town were again bombed. Bombs burst-on the Spanish mole, while at the motor transport park and electrical power station large fires Were caused. All our aircraft returned safely.