RAPID THRUST WESTWARDS

Southland Times, Issue 24598, 21 November 1941, Page 5

RAPID THRUST WESTWARDS

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION AIR FORCES OVERCOME OPPOSITION (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. More than 50 hours ago the Bth Imperial Army launched an attack on Cyrenaica on a front of 150 miles and it is still sweeping westward. At the end of the first day it had advanced a distance of 50 miles. The enemy forces, which have been strengthened by General Erwin Rommel’s German Africa Corps, have offered small resistance. The Imperial Forces consist of New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians and Britons. One correspondent in Cairo states that already two German divisions between Bardia and Tobruk and one Italian division south of Tobruk are in danger. A number of German prisoners has been brought back to the British lines. Axis air opposition has been practically silenced. The British airmen who supported the advance were wet through after a stormy night when they listened to a message from Mr Winston Churchill telling them of their mission. Then began a 12 hours’ hammering of the enemy. American machines—Tomahawks, Martletts and Marylands—co-operated with Wellingtons, Hurricanes, Blenheims, Bostons and Beaufighters. The Beaufighters started the offensive by gaining a spectacular success. A formation shot down five enemy troop carrying planes and destroyed two petrol tankers. In all 18 enemy planes were desstroyed in the first clash. Planes of the South African Air Force and the Royal Air Force assisted the advance by attacking motor-vehicles and enemy bases. Objectives in Benghazi and five other bases were damaged. It is now clear why for months past the Imperial air forces have been hammering at bases in Sicily and southern Italy and along the North African coast. Illustrating the excellent co-operation between the three services in the Middle East, ships of the Royal Navy have shelled Halfaya Pass. Here and at Sidi Omar enemy troops made a stand, but on the whole there was little resistance. Arrangements for air support and the camouflaging and dispersal of Imperial troops were excellent. A great welcome was given to the news of the offensive in London. Metropolitan newspapers scrapped their news pages when advice was received at 11 p.m. The Daily Mail said: “We are meeting the real foe now and not the demoralized Italian legion and the battle must be far harder. If we succeed we will have snapped the first German pincer.” Lieutenant-General Sir Alan Cunningham, who gained such a brilliant reputation in the East African campaign, is in command of the Imperial forces. Air Vice-Marshal Arthur Conyngham is in command of the air forces.