FUTURE OF CAMPAIGN

Southland Times, Issue 24628, 27 December 1941, Page 5

FUTURE OF CAMPAIGN

ALLIED ADVANCE IN LIBYA DRIVE MAY CONTINUE (Rec. 8.10 p.m.) CAIRO, Dec. 25. The question on everyone's lips is: “Will the Allied forces attempt to sweep on to the Tunisian frontier before Axis reinforcements arrive?” At present there is only Italian infantry in that region. An exact computation of the proportion of his forces the German Commander, General Erwin Rommel, managed to get out of Cyrenaica is impossible, but it is generally believed that he extricated only a “handful” of tanks. The scanty remains of the German armoured forces, also all the infantry which could be assembled, are making their way round the Gulf of Sirte along the good road to Tripoli. Everything not essential is being abandoned. The Allied forces have certainly had no time to celebrate Christinas as they have been fully occupied in pursuing the fleeing columns, also mopping up stragglers. No more Germans can join those already southward of Benghazi, because the British have cut the road. British bombers and fighters are increasing General Rommel’s difficulties, not allowing the retreating columns the slightest respite. There are still enemy pockets of resistance in the Bardia, Solium and Halfaya areas, but the cleaning up is a matter of time. They will either be starved out or forced to submit by force. Algiers radio said the British took 10,000 prisoners in the Benghazi area and estimated that another 40,000 Italians were still north-east of Benghazi. CAPTURE OF BENGHAZI Imperial forces have entered Benghazi, the capital and chief seaport of Cyrenaica—37 days after the offensive in Libya began. Benghazi was first captured by the Imperial forces on February 5 of this year in the campaign which General Sir Archibald Wavell, now Commander-in-Chief in India, planned. Two months later, during the fighting in Yugoslavia, it was abandoned after its port facilities had been destroyed. When yesterday

the Royal Dragoons entered the city they found it devastated. The Royal Air Force continues to do its part. How well the Air Force is | discharging its task may be gathered ; from the fact that on Benina aerodrome were found a large number- of enemy planes destroyed on the ground by “Our troops yesterday occupied Benghazi,” says a communique issued in Cairo. “The Royal Dragoons were first to enter the town. They report that the town was devastated. “Despite bad weather and heavy going after rain, our strong mobile columns are still striking at the retreating enemy everywhere in the area between Benghazi and Jedabaya and

even further west, inflicting casualties, I taking prisoners and capturing or destroying quantities of enemy transport ■material. Small bodies of enemy troops, believed to be almost entirely Italian, still remain in the area north-west of Benghazi and are being dealt with. In the frontier area we eliminated yet another of the isolated enemy posts near Bardia. ATTACKS FROM AIR “Our Air Force yesterday maintained their effective attack against enemy columns of troops and motor-vehicles, destroying a large number- of vehicles, including petrol tankers and troopcarriers. A large number of enemy aircraft were found which had been destroyed on the ground by our air forces.” The Royal Air Force communique from the Middle East states: “During yesterday aircraft of the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force continued their attacks on enemy motorized convoys retreating westwards into Tripolitania. Many vehicles were destroyed or damaged and casualties were again inflicted on the enemy personnel. “In a low-flying attack on the aerodrome at El Agheila, a Junkers 52 was set on fire, while at Nofilia another Junkers 52 and a Junker’s 87 on the ground were destroyed. Other enemy aircraft were severely damaged. It is now known that in a raid on another aerodrome by Maryland bombers of the South African Air Force on Tuesday, direct hits were obtained on two enemy aircraft. During Tuesday night this aerodrome was again bombed, as was the landing ground at El Agheila. From these and other operations two of our aircraft are missing.”