DRIVE ON TOBRUK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24945, 18 June 1942, Page 3

DRIVE ON TOBRUK

—+« ENEMY ATTACKS HELD MAJOR CLASH IMMINENT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) • (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, June 17. Enemy attacks on Sidi Rezegh and Acroma have been repulsed. Attacks were made on these positions throughout the day, but by nightfall no progress had been made. Enemy forces also formed up opposite El Adem, but did not follow up their deployment. It is now clear that the enemy's main objective is Tobruk and that a full-scale attempt to encircle and capture the port is developing. Enemy forces with strong artillery support are concentrating in the area in front of Acroma and El Adem, which, are about 20'miles apart. The range of the battle is now more limited, and the enemy has more freedom behind his own lines and can bring strong concentrations against any weak spots he can find in the British lines. At the same time, his extended lines of communication can be harassed by our mobile columns. On the other hand, our lines have been considerably shortened. Since General Ritchie regrouped his forces the enemy has not succeeded in finding a weak spot. One report says that "we are cutting up Axis transport on an unprecedented scale. Indian mobile troops stormed a laager in which the Germans were repairing 26 tanks and destroyed the tanks with explosives and gunfire." . A correspondent states that the entire battle area is under a dust screen churned up by tanks, artillery, lorries, and ambulances. The heat is intense. British and Axis planes roar over the dust blanket, which affords some protection against strafing because it is too risky for fighters to swoop blind through swirling dust, although full advantage is taken of breaks in the clouds. Axis tanks and motorised infantry made three fierce assaults against El Adem yesterday, the first from the west in which infantry, advancing before an artillery. barrage, were mown down before they were' able . to cut the wire or lob grenades on our strongly-entrenched posts. The second, from the north-west, was launched just before noon, and was supported by strong tank formations. This was also beaten off. The third was made from the south-west in the afternoon. Our artillery and heavy anti-tank guns scorched the enemy lines, and. the infantry wavered and fell away, leaving many dead.

British prisoners recovered from the enemy in the El Adem area stated that they and their captors were without water for 48 hours.

STANDING FIRM

MAIN BRITISH POINTS ACROMA AND EL ADEM RUGBY, June 16. Satisfaction is expressed in London that the enemy effort, which was reported yesterday, to have cut off the British troops in the Gazala salient by an advance to the north in the Acrom'a area has failed. The Italian claim to have reached the sea, therefore, has little meaning since by the time they had done so the two British divisions holding the line running south from Gazala had rejoined the main forces around Acroma. To-day's report also shows that the two mam British fortified points—Acroma and El Adem —both covering Tobruk* are standing firm against all attacks. It is noted that the enemy's movements continue to be successfully harassed by British mobile columns operating between these strong points, as well as by aircraft. The main fighting is taking place at Acroma and El Adem, the two fortified positions now screening Tobruk. Tank losses are heavy on both sides. There is no evidence whatever that Rommel has any more armoured divisions than the three with which he opened the attack. t The El Adem box is besieged by Axis infantry, who are digging in beyond the range of strong points and artillery, while Italian and German tanks mill around the box to check any British attempt to break out. El Adem aerodrome, two miles north of the box, is in Axis hands, and is now a gathering point for Axis tanks. Some reports say fighting is going on within sight of Tobruk. In the Acroma region Marshal Rommel is within three miles of the Gazala-Tobruk road, which is only twojmiles from the Mediterranean. The Imperial forces have withdrawn from the Acroma escarpment.

One strong enemy patrol to the east past El Adem is being engaged in the area of El Duda and Sidi Rezagh. The Italians and Germans hold El Tamar, and the El Eut heights, where their artillery, including howitzers, is shelling Acroma and the Gazala-Tobruk road. In spite of the shellfire, our transport is moving freely along the road, enabling us to hold off Axis attempts to reach the highway on the coast. The Imperial troops were withdrawn from Gazala through this narrow bottle-neck under cover of determined fighting by the Acroma troops and the First Armoured Division, which beat off repeated. Axis attempts to reach the road. The Berlin radio stated that the Axis forces were spread from Acroma to the sea, thus foiling General Ritchie's coun-ter-movement.