ON AXIS POSITIONS IN LIBYAN FRONTIER ZONE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1942, Page 5

ON AXIS POSITIONS IN LIBYAN FRONTIER ZONE

Sustained Pressure on the Enemy Round Jedabaya

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH AIR ACTIVITY

WATCHFUL EYE ON WESTWARD COMMUNICATIONS LONDON, January 5. . The latest Cairo communique reports heavy and continuous attacks on the remaining enemy positions in Eastern Cyrenaica. In the frontier region the British and Imperial forces are turning their attention to smashing the strong enemy entrenchments covering Halfaya. Another message reports a heavy artillery and air bombardment of Italian positions at Solium and states that the Italians will probably withdraw from Solium in order to concentrate on the defence of Halfaya Pass. According to German prisoners the forces holding Halfaya number 7,000, with a larger proportion of Germans than at Bardia. Strong air attacks were made yesterday on the Solium and Halfaya areas by considerable British forces and Free French units. The total number of prisoners counted at Bardia is now 7,500. The number of New Zealanders released at Bardia is now given as 650. The rest of the prisoners released were mostly members of the Royal Tank Corps. Land and air pressure is being maintained on Rommel’s forces around Jedabaya and an especially watchful eye is being kept on his communications to the west. Successful fighter engagements are reported in spite of bad weather. Powerful air attacks have been made on enemy dumps and transport in Libya and the enemy submarine base at Salamis, in Greece, has been attacked. A munitions and ordnance factory was also bombed. Attacks on Malta continue. Enemy bombers were again over the island yesterday and on the night before. Some damage was done. One raiding plane was shot down in flames and others were badly damaged. None of our fighters were lost.