DESERT FIGHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24838, 11 February 1942, Page 5

DESERT FIGHTING

MOBILE COLUMNS AXIS UNITS REPULSED PUTTING OUT FEELERS LONDON, Feb. 9. A Cairo message states that mobile columns repulsed Axis units at Tengeder, 35 miles south of Mekili.. Fieldmarshal Fiommel is obviously feeling out the British strength on the southern route to avoid a narrow-fronted coastal assault against El Gazala, where the naval guns are disposed so as to assist the land artillery. A Middle East war communique from British headquarters at Cairo states: "There is no general change in the situation. Yesterday our patrols were active in the area of Mekili and Tengeder, while one of our mobile columns engaged enemy infantry and artillery in a position near the coast 12 miles west of El Gazala. Our air forces again operated in active support of our forward troops, and they also continued attacks on enemy lines of communication." Heavy Air Attacks An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "R.A.F., R.A.A.F. and S.A.A.F. bombers and fighters were in action in Cyrenaica on Sunday. Three Messerschmitt 109's were shot down and others damaged, while at Derna two enemy aircraft were destroyed on an aerodrome by direct hits. On Saturday night bombers attacked objectives in Benghazi and the aerodrome at Berca. At Benghazi hits were scored on the Juliana mole, and at Berca fires and explosions were observed. Shipping in Tripoli harbour was also raided. In spite of a smoke screen put up by the enemy, at least three direct hits were obtained, causing a series of explosions. Other bombs burst on the Spanish mole. The .same night the naval dockyard at Saiamis, m Greece, was raided. Bombs exploded among munition factories and submarine wharves. The aerodrome at Menidi, near'Athens, was also bombed, fires being seen. Six of our planes are missing, but at least two of the" pilots are safe.". Axis Malingerers

That German soldiers are not enthusiastic to serve in Libya is shown by an order issued at the beginning of September to the 21st Division of the German Afrika Korps, and found on a divisional commander taken prisoner by New Zealanders outside Tobruk in November. The order says: "A number of personnel on leave from certain units has not returned. They have. contrived to obtain permission from the authorities at home to remain in Germany while sending requests to this command for an extension of leave. Others report sick at home and try to get attached to a reserve unit on discharge from hospital, or have themselves examined medically on the plea that they are unfit for tropical service. "Some procedure must be adopted to deal with this malingering. Accordingly it is laid down that henceforth a special inquiry vill be held into the case of every man not returning from leave on time. Severe penalties will be inflicted on anybody found guilty, and they will be reported to divisional headquarters. Disciplinary action will be taken in Germany against m"n who do not return to Africa. In this connection malingerers must be punished ruthlessly." ENEMY CONVOYS THREE SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS (Rec. 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10. Three more successful attacks have been made on enemy convoys in the Mediterranean by our submarines. One large enemy supply ship, escorted by a cruiser, was torpedoed and sunk. A medium-sized supply vessel, which was also heavily escorted, was torpedoed and almost, certainly sunk, and in an attack on another convoy one hit was made on a supply ship. The result of the last attack is not definitely known. ANZACS IN EGYPT PREPARING SURPRISE FOR ENEMY LONDON, Feb. 9. The Anzac forces in Egypt are preparing a surprise for the Axis, reports the Istanbul correspondent of the Daily Herald. He quotes a military observer from Cairo as saying that the Anzacs are undergoing rigorous training. These exercises have not been interrupted by the latest Axis thrust across Libya. The military observer did not disclose the nature of the training.