LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24890, 14 April 1942, Page 5

LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

THE SOUTHERN FLANK AXIS COLUMN WITHDRAWN (Rec. 9 p.m.) CAIRO, Apl. 12. The column which Marshal Rommel has withdrawn from operations on the southern flank is the column which tested the Allied defences more to the north. The withdrawal either indicates that the column is merely reconnoitring or that the intended encircling movement has been called off as unlikely to meet with success. After closing in on the British line at Gazala Axis troops have made no attempt to advance and they are at present busy fortifying a series of local sites commanding high ground running from the coast in an easterly direction to Tmimi and in a southwesterly direction to a point some miles to the east of Mekili. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states that fighter aircraft operating in a forward area in Cyrenaica yesterday intercepted an enemy formation which was attempting to attack our land forces. Two JUB7’s and one MEIO9 were shot down and other enemy aircraft were damaged Aerodromes in Crete and the harbour of Benghazi were again raided by our bomber aircraft during Friday night, A JUBB encountered near Alexandria yesterday morning was shot down into the sea by our fighters. Enemy aircraft continued to raid Malta yesterday. One JUB7 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. In addition to the casualties already announced. the enemy also lost two JUBB's and two MElOD's on Friday, and the destruction by anti-aircraft fire of a further JUB7 on Thursday is confirmed. From all these operations seven of our aircraft are missing, but the pilots of four are safe. ITALIAN BATTALION ROUTED LARGE NUMBER CAPTURED CAIRO. Apl. 12. British troops captured an Italian strong point to the south-east of Tmimi, routed a crack Italian battalion, and brought in one of the largest parties of prisoners captured in the Western Desert since the surrender of Halfaya. The enemy position was heavily shelled before the attack. The bombardment was so effective that two British in-

fantry platoons were able to approach in lorries within 300 yards of the enemy position before they were discovered. The infantry then attacked with tommy guns and Bren guns, killing and wounding a large number of Italians. A young British officer played a gallant part in the British success. He discovered the location of two Bofors guns which were protecting a key point. The officer, without hesitation, ordered his car to charge one of the Bofors. which opened fire from pointblank range. The Bofors was put out of action. The Italians, confused by the audacity and success of the charge, began to run away, and in a few minutes the position was overwhelmed