200 TANKS ON EACH SIDE

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

200 TANKS ON EACH SIDE

BRITISH CONFIDENT (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 30. ’ Latest reports indicate that neither side so far has gained the ascendancy in the great tank battle still raging at Knightsbridge, says The Daily Telegraph’s Cairo correspondent. Each side is using 200 tanks, which is believed to be half the number Field-Marshal Rommel possesses. The Vichy radio describes the fighting as the greatest battle ever fought outside Europe. Reuters Cairo correspondent says Lieutenant-General Ritchie remains confident, but the fighting is very hard and the battle is critical. The enemy t yesterday put up stronger air protection for his columns, but low-flying Royal Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers pressed home the attacks. The Royal Air Force sprang a surprise by releasing Spitfires and bomb-carrying Kittyhawks over the great tank battle-fields southwest of Tobruk. It is the first time Spitfires have been used in Libya, while the Kittyhawks hitherto have played only a fighter role. The Spitfires have displaced the Messerschmitt 109’s as the fastest fighters in this theatre. There is no sign that the Navy is playing any special part in the Libyan developments, says The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s correspondent with the Mediterranean Fleet. It is carrying on its normal work of guarding our supply lines and strenuously attempting to inflict maximum damage on Axis convoys proceeding to Africa, but the fleet is not at full strength because Of the Navy’s widespread commitments, so more Axis supplies have been getting through and will continue to do so. AIR FORCE SUPPORT Royal Air Force fighters made more than 200 sorties over the Libyan battlefields on Thursday in support of the British land operations, states the Airi Ministry News Service. From the first I light until nightfall the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force fighter and bomber squadrons straffed enemy fighting vehicles, petrol bowsers and motor transport. The enemy losses were heavy and the estimates of the pilots of on r fighters and bombers are known to be conservative. One squadron which claimed to have destroyed 10 vehicles later saw more than 25 vehicles abandoned at the same spot. Throughout the day the closest support was given to the army and many bomber sorties were made north of Bir el Harmat and south-west of Tacoma in response to calls from the Army for close support. Squadrons were able to keep a complete watch on tie progress of the battle and to provide both Army and Air Force headquarters with detailed pictures of operations on both sides.

Although the Air Force is devoting the greatest part of its effort to attacking the enemy land forces, air battles are frequent and Axis aircraft are engaged wherever they are encountered. Many enemy air attacks on British troops were broken up.