The Southland Times FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1942. A New Offensive in the Desert

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1942. A New Offensive in the Desert

WHEN THE fighting died away in the Western Desert, nearly four months ago, Field-Marshal Rommel had improved the position of the German Africa Corps. A British offensive had been held, although at a heavy cost; and a counter launched from el Agheila ended with the recapture (for the second time) of Benghazi. Rommel had proved himself a master of desert strategy. British war correspondents, reviewing the hardest fighting of the Libyan campaigns, reached certain conclusions. One of them, Alan Moorhead of The Daily Express' (author of a notable book, “Mediterranean Front”) summarized his own impressions as follows. The British, he said, had failed to supply their forward lines after the last advance. They had not been able to hold Benghazi long enough to fortify it. Against them were thrown “the weight and vigour of the German Panzer divisions, which at vital moments took possession of the battlefield so that they could repair their damaged tanks—and ours.” By seizing British fuel dumps, Rommel was able to supply his forces while the advance continued. The enemy’s tactics were well planned: a feint across the desert, followed by an attack along the coastal road. And finally the British troops were near the point of exhaustion after gruelling operations. These lessons could not have escaped the attention of military leaders, and in the three months of respite the Bth Army has been strengthened and re-fitted for the next phase of the struggle. Everybody knew that another battle was on the way. Most experts thought it would come much earlier. Barely a fortnight after the end of Rommel’s advance, Royal Air Force reconnaissance planes brought in reports of German tank and infantry movements along the coast. Patrol encounters, which usually provide evidence of activity in forward positions, became significantly hard. Then there was an interruption. The Khamsin, dreaded hot wind of the desert, kept both sides inactive. About this time it was rumoured that Rommel had been recalled to Germany, perhaps to take command of an army on the Eastern Front. A few weeks later, however, it was reported that he was still “in effective command of Axis operations in Libya.” The expected blow did not fall, although there was a series of air battles, with both sides striving for dominance. And reports continued to come in of heavy German reinforcements. Battle of Tanks

The Axis armoured forces are believed to consist of two German Panzer divisions, one lighter division, and one Italian armoured division. Their lines have been established between Timimi and Mekili, while the Bth Army has taken up a line from Gazala southwards. But in desert warfare the position becomes fluid as soon as the fighting begins. Both sides were ready for action: indeed, it was suggested in Cairo a few days ago that the Allies would strike first. As soon as the German panzer columns were known to be on the move British forces went out to meet them, and a tank battle is now raging in an area between Bir Hacheim and the sea. As far as can be judged from the meagre reports so far received, Rommel is making a thrust with the greater part of his armoured strength, apparently with the intention of forcing the? issue in a single decisive clash. This need not be surprising when it is remembered that the season is already dangerously late for desert fighting. The hot weather begins about the middle of May, after which only the toughest troops can stand even short intervals on active service. “A summer offensive is almost impossible,” said the Cairo correspondent of The Daily Mail at the beginning of this month. “Radiators are already boiling and sand is clogging carburettors and ventilators. Only twice have summer offensives been attempted—a year ago when Rommel attempted to break into Tobruk, and six weeks later when the British took the offensive against the enemy in the Bardia area. Both failed.” It is true, of course, that “weather rules” in this wax- have been largely disregarded. If extreme cold could not stop the fighting in Russia, extreme heat might be unable to prevent operations in Libya. But the torrid heat of the desert will at least make it desirable for the issue to be decided as quickly as possible. Russia is inhabited country, where men have the chance of finding shelter, fuel and food. Libya is a burning wilderness where even water must be transported to forward positions. It seems probable, therefore, that Rommel will try the heaviest hammer blow he is capable of delivering. Much will depend on the extent to which the British leaders have assimilated the lessons of the previous campaigns. They know that German tanks are good, and that the field refitting service is remarkably efficient. It was found in the last great battle that tanks which were known to have been knocked out were made fit fox- action within a few days, sometimes within a few hours. German fire powex- may not now have the superiority which was a noticeable feature of the earlier clash. New and bigger British tanks should be in action, and Cairo correspondents believe that this time it

should be possible to avoid the mistakes which left infantry forces unprotected in the crucial battles at Sidi Rezegh. It is easy to forget that the Germans have behind them a unique experience in the use of armoured divisions. While they were able to use in Libya the tactics which had proved so successful in Poland and France, the British tank forces had to buy their experience. They have learned hard lessons, and the present struggle should be on more equal terms. Meanwhile the desert offensive is not likely to be an isolated event on the Mediterranean front. It coincides with the climax of the battle for Kharkov, and may be followed by new developments in the Middle East. Armies are on the move. Within the next few days it should be possible to see where the decisive battles of the European summer are to be fought and won.