LULL IN LIBYA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22203, 21 February 1942, Page 5

LULL IN LIBYA

Sparring For Time By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, February 19. The latest news received in London indicates that von Rommel has not advanced again after his recent withdrawal. It is thought that his withdrawal has taken him back beyond the El Tmimi-Mekeile line, from which he started his advance. A correspondent with the British Bth Anny in Libya writes: “The lull in operations in the Libyan desert does not mean that either side has returned to the static type of warfare as was the case before the November offensive. Both sids are evidently sparring to regain breath and strength. There is no doubt that the desert will be blazing up again shortly. A battle —probably the most important which has yet taken place in Libya—Hill develop as soon as either the British or Axis command feels that it has enough men, tanks, reserves and supplies to strike a decisive blow. British Strength Tested "Hitherto, British mobile patrols have had decidedly the best in every encounter with the enemy columns, which are evidently roving in the wilderness to feel the strength of their opponent.” The correspondent concludes: “Whenever the times come, the Bth Army will not be caught unawares, having learned a lot in the course of the second Libyan battle, in which von Rommel has used every imaginable trick.” Lieutenant-General N. M. Ritchie, Commander of the Bth Army in Libya, paid a tribute to the South African engineers for the work they had carried out during the recent withdrawal. Tiiey had been responsible for the destruction of large quantities of enemy supplies and munitions, which the enemy had hoped to recover intact. A Washington message says that Mr Sumner Welles announced that the United States was not satisfied with the Vichy explanations of French aid for the Axis forces in Libya and said further instructions had been sent to Mr Leahy, Ambassador to Vichy.