ROMMEL ATTACKS IN CYRENAICA

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 5

ROMMEL ATTACKS IN CYRENAICA

BRITISH TROOPS HOLD FAST TO POSITIONS

(United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. Launching a big scale attack against the British positions in Cyrenaica, Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel’s German Africa Corps and its Italian allies have sent out two powerful armoured forces against Bir Hacheim and Gazala. They have met the full forces of the resistance offered by the Bth Army, commanded by Lieutenant-General N. M. Ritchie, and so far they have failed to make any progress. At Bir Hacheim, where the sector facing the enemy is held by a famous British north country regiment, the Axis forces were repulsed with heavy losses. A communique issued in Cairo two hours ago s a e that the battle went on all day. The two main enemy columns were heavily engaged by Allied armoured units. Both at Bir Hacheim, in the south, and Gazala, m the north, the enemy were driven back and the Allied positions remained the same. The Royal Air Force, gave splendid co-operation to the ground forces. Bir Hacheim lies at the cross-roads of caravan routes leading to Gazala and Tobruk. It is obvious that FieldMarshal Rommel’s thrust is aimed at the Bth Army’s flank, hut it is not yet known whether the main attack is directed against Bir Hacheim or Gazala. The British forces are strongly supported. One correspondent said that he had never seen so many tanks in action. The German forces engaged consist of the 15th and 22nd armoured divisions commanded by General Bismarck and General von Nehring, who have not yet been prominent in the desert fighting, and the 90th light armoured division- The Italian forces are the Arriete armoured division and the Trenta Bologna and Pavia motorized divisions. Lieutenant-General Ritchie’s army is composed of British, South African, Indian and Free French troops. They are fighting fit and are in the highest spirits.