GLORIOUS EPISODE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 5

GLORIOUS EPISODE

Western Desert Campaign Enemy Losses Heavy By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 27. The Axis menace in Cyrenaica and Libya were referred to by Mr Churchill in the course of his speech in the House of Commons. For the sake of this battle on the ; Libyan Desert we concentrated everything we could lay hands on, and we ' submitted to a very long delay—very 1 painful to bear lor us here—that all the preparations could be perfected, said Mr Churchill. “We hoped to recapture Cyrenaica, including the vital air-fields around Benghazi, but General Auchinleck’s main objective was more simple—he set himself to destroy von Rommel’s army. Such was the mood in which we stood three or four months ago. Such is the broad strategic decision we took. Now. when we see how events have mocked and falsified human effort and design, and shaped themselves, I am very sure this was the right decision. “Cyrenaica has been regained. It has still to be held. We have not succeeded in destroying von Rommel’s army, but nearly two-thirds of it have been wounded, taken prisoner, or dead. In this strange, sombre battle of the desert, where our men met the enemy for the first time on equal trms, we lost in killed, wounded and captured about 18,000 officers and men. We have in our possession 36,500 prisoners, including many wounded, of whom 10.000 are Germans. We killed and wounded at least 11,500 German and 13,000 Italians. In all, the total accounted for exactly amounts to 61,000 men. There is also a mass of enemy wounded, some of whom have been evacuated to the rear or to the sea. Of the forces of which von Rommel disposed on November 18, little more than a third now remains. Eight hundred and fifty-two German and Italian aircraft have been destroyed, and 386 German and Italian tanks. British Strength Only 45,000 “During this battle we never had more than 45,000 men against the enemy forces, which, if tHey could be brought to bear, were much more than double as strong. Therefore, It seems to me that this heroic, epic struggle in the desert, although there have been many reverses—local reverses—has tested our manhood in a searching fashion and proved not only that our men can die for King and Country—everyone knew that—but that they can kill. “I cannot tell what the position is at the present moment on the Western Front in Cyrenaica,” said Mr Churchill. “We have very daring opponents against us, and, if I may say so, in the havoc of war, a great general. He has

certainly received reinforcements, and another battle is even now in progress. I make it a rule—and I always, rejoice that I have always made it a rule—never to prophesy beforehand how battles will turn out.” Mr Churchill added: “Not only has the enemy lost nearly three times our losses on the battlefield, but the blue waters of the Mediterranean have, thanks to the enterprise of the Royal Navy, our submarines and Air Force, drowned a large number of reinforcements which have been continuously sent. This process has had a further important success during the last few days. He would characterise the campaign as a highly profitable transaction. Certainly it is an episode of the war most glorious to the British, South African, New Zealand. Indian. Free French and Polish soldiers and airmen who have played a part in it. The prolonged, stubborn, steadfast and successful defence of Tobruk by Australian and British troops for seven hard months was an essential preliminary to any success.”