NEW ZEALANDERS TAKE GAMBUT

Southland Times, Issue 24601, 25 November 1941, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS TAKE GAMBUT

RAPID ADVANCE IN CYRENAICA AXIS FORCES ENCLOSED TANK BATTLE IN PROGRESS AT SIDI RESEGII (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, November 24. New Zealand troops have captured Gambut, one of the most important Axis aerodromes and supply dumps in Cyrenaica. This was announced in a general headquarters communique just issued in Cairo. Gambut is half-way between Bardia and Tobruk and its capture illustrates the rapidity of the successful advance of the New Zealand motorized troops who have taken Fort Capuzzo, Sidi Aziez and Bardia literally in their stride. An Indian division, which has captured half of the 15,000 Axis prisoners taken since the start of the offensive last Tuesday, is now behind Halfaya, and a tank column from Tobruk which was last reported to be within two miles of an advancing British armoured division, is consolidating its gains. The Royal Air Force has continued its devastating offensive smashing enemy supply columns and aerodromes. According to official sources in London the second stage of the great offensive has now begun. The first operation was to enclose the Axis forces and this has been completed. The Germans and Italians are practically contained in an area of roughly 3000 square miles, bounded on the north by the sea from a point east of Bardia to Solium, blocked on the east by British forces extending from Halfaya to Sidi Omar, and on the west by the British armoured division which is racing north to meet the column driving south from Tobruk. The enemy has marshalled his tanks on the east and west sides of this area, but the south side lies open. Now a great tank battle is being fought at Sidi Resegh with great resolution on both sides. British forces have already captured the aerodrome, and, although losses on both sides are heavy, they seem to be gaining the upper hand.