PURSUIT IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1942, Page 4

PURSUIT IN LIBYA

PROGRESS MADE IN BAD WEATHER AND THROUGH ENEMY MINEFIELDS. HEAVY BOMBING OF HALFAYA CONTINUED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, January 8. Today's Middle East communique states: “Taking advantage of a heavy sandstorm, which continues severely to restrict visibility, the enemy is withdrawing from Jedabaya, covered bystrong rearguards. Our mobile columns of all arms are moving forward in pursuit over wide fronts. Progress, however. has been slow, owing partly to the weather conditions and also to the use made by the enemy of extensive minefields. Shortly after midday yesterday, the Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards established contact with portions of the enemy rearguards about seven miles south-west of Jedabaya. Further south, the King's Dragoon Guards and South African armoured fighting vehicles penetrated country previously held by the enemy to depths respectively of 20 and 40 miles, pressing back the enemy in front of them.

“In the Halfaya area, in spite of continuing dust, storms, our air forces persistently and successfully attacked enemy positions throughout the day.”