ROMMEL PREPARING

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15075, 22 June 1942, Page 3

ROMMEL PREPARING

FOR ATTACK ON TOBRUK. LONDON, June 21. Reuter’s Cairo correspondent said earlier that Tobruk had not yet been attacked but it seemed that the asr sault would nob be long delayed. The German tank columns which were turned back yesterday after advancing to a point 25 miles from Bardia have now returned to Tobruk. There are still a substantial number of British mobile units in Libya and they are continuing to operate from the south against the Axis-held coastal belt. The latest report of the disposition of the Axis forces in Libya shows that Rommel withdrew the majority of his forces to the Ei Duda -El Hamed-Sidi Rezegli triangle. The Italians have been brought up to positions in the Acroma area and with the Ariete Division southwards of El Adem the indications bear out the belief that the enemy is establishing himself around Tobruk’s perimeter in preparation fur am all-out bid. It is estimated that between 200 and 300 Axis tanks were destroyed during the offensive, rot including those damaged. It is considered possible that Rommel may be able to repair the captured General Grant tanks and adapt his 75-millimetre ammunition for use in them. Tlie Cairo corresx>ondent of tiie Associated Press of Great Britain states: “Many of our tank officers are reported to be doubtful whether the tank has much of a future because of the superiority of the antitank gun over the tank The tank is excellent for smashing into and terrorising infantry but is seldom effective if the infantry has good antitank gun protection. The German 88millinietre anti-tank guns effectively knocked out the General Grant tanks which were to get within range with their 75’s. No German, tank captured was equipped with refrigerators but some had fans..” A R.A.F. Middle East communique reports bombing raids on Thursday night on Benghazi, on Maritza in Rhodes Island and Herakljon in Crete. Our fighters were active throughout yesterday in the forward area of Cyredaiea while bombers carried out a dusk raid on the main aerodrome at Tmimi. Enemy aircraft which operated against objectives behind our lines along the North African coast yesterday were intercepted by our fighters and several enemy bombers were so severely damaged that they were unlikely to have regained their bases. It is now known that three enemy machines not previously reported were shot down in ( yrenaica on Wednesday. We lost six machines in all these o}H*rntions. but one pilot is safe A Zurich message states that military experts in Berlin emphasise that Rommel lias concluded tfie first phase of his offensive and has now entered the second phase—the battle of Egypt. Th e extent of reinforcements recently sent to Libya plus valuable experience obtained" during the first phase allow the forecast that the Afrika Corps will shortly hoist tli e swastika over Alexandria. Rt. Hon Dr. Burgin M.P., has revealed that the British Army it* Libya know that many tanks which would have offered better resistance to Rommel were sent to Russia. The Allies are proud, of the sacrifice entailed in honouring their bargain to Russia.