BIR HACHEIM STAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1942, Page 3

BIR HACHEIM STAND

VALOUR OF FREE FRENCH PRAISED ENEMY’S PLAN UPSET. AND VERY HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, June 13. A total of 3100 of Bir Hacheim’s garrison of 4000 withdrew safely according to the British United Press correspondent in Libya. The remainder were killed or taken prisoners. Members of the garrison, when withdrawing, ran into Italian and German patrols, leading to brisk actions till they contacted the British covering force which moved up in the darkness. (The German High Command claims that 12,000 prisoners were taken at Bir Hacheim). A warm tribute to the Free French forces which resisted so heroically at Bir Hacheim is paid in the following special statement issued in Cairo:— “Having regard to the continuous and severe fighting in which the Free French brigade was engaged for 16 days, the casualties were light. It is known that the enemy’s plan included the capture of Bir Hacheim by May 27 by the Ariete division. This plan failed because of the splendid resistance of the garrison, who repulsed the enemy with heavy losses. “The achievements of the brigade during this period include the probable destruction of 70 Axis tanks, heavy losses of men and material inflicted on the Germans and Italians, and the recapture from the enemy of more than 1000 of our own troops. For more than two weeks this small force fought- off the 'German 90th light division and the Italian motorised Trieste Division. They repulsed a number of attacks by German and Italian tanks and completely upset the . enemy’s plan. The United Nations owe a very great debt of gratitude and admiration to the First Free French Brigade and its gallant commanders.” The chief reason for giving up Bir Hacheim, according to the correspondent of “The Times’ ’in Libya, was that our main thrust must be delivered from the Cauldron area. No other consideration could allow us to weaken ourselves there.