GERMANS NOW SOUTH OF KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Southland Times, Issue 24758, 1 June 1942, Page 5

GERMANS NOW SOUTH OF KNIGHTSBRIDGE

SUPPLY ORGANIZATION HAMPERED (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Mav 31. The German tank forces have withdrawn some distance southwards of Knightsbridge, says Reuters correspondent with Lieutenant-General N. M. Ritchie’s Bth Army. The Allies’ firm stand at Bir Hacheim greatly hampered the German supply organization and their armoured columns are believed to be running short of rations. German attempts to upset the British supply organization by night bombing completely failed. The Germans are fighting on British ground, with the result that all damaged German tanks fall into our hands and the German field repair service has been unable to operate as in previous campaigns. Field-Marshal Rommel is personally leading his forces from a tank somewhere in the 200 miles square hox southwards of Scroma, which the British have named Waterloo Square, says the British United Press correspondent with the Bth Army. It is the most fantastic battle in tank history. If we are able to contain Field-Marshal Rommel within this square and close the padlock in the south around the Knightsbridge crossroads Field-Marshal Rommel will be crushed, but it is a big if. There are some reasons for optimism, but in the light of previous exper iences no hopes are held out this time until they actual y materialize. The reasons for optimism are:—(1) The enemy tank losses are slightly more than ours. We lost more prisoners at the beginning, but hundreds have escaped and rejoined their units and are agam fighting. (2) The enemy is defending the most slender supply lines, which extend over hundreds of miles of track. (3) The enemy has committed the bulk of his steel equipment, while we have considerable reserves ready to switch to any sector. . (4) The enemy is apparently outnumbered in the air, except at night-time, when he uses shock tactics aimed at our nerves with machine-gun fire, cannon fire and bombs in continuous relays to prevent the troops from sleeping.