IN THE FRONT LINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1942, Page 3

IN THE FRONT LINE

BRITISH AIR FORCES ENEMY ATTACKED AT SHORT RANGE. ORGANISED WITHDRAWAL AT LAST MOMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, June 21. How both fighters and bombers continued to attack Rommel’s advancing columns when German tanks were only fifteen miles away from their landing grounds is told by the Air Ministry news service. When the withdrawal developed on Wednesday, fighter patrols and escorted bombing attacks on the enemy’s tanks and armoured columns went on from dawn to dusk as a shuttle service —the machines dropping loads on the enemy and returning again and again for more fuel and bombs. Fighters damaged nearly a score of Messerschmitt 109 s on the Gtazala Aerodrome, while bombers attacked columns wherever they were found. Boston bombers took off and landed so near the enemy’s columns that as little as five minutes’ flying time to the objective was reported. , When the enemy was one hour’s travel away, the ground crews loaded lorries and departed. Fighters remained overnight, although the enemy was only fifteen miles away. Their ground staff moved off at dawn, and the fighters went into action against tanks, which were within easy striking distance. They had been in the front line, but all were withdrawn safely and headed towards the desert tracks to cover the withdrawal of the ground forces. By evening, the whole force was reformed at new landing grounds. The withdrawal was carried through without hurry or concern, and within twelve hours the bombers recommenced their raids. LOSSES IN TOBRUK NOT YET ACCURATELY KNOWN. ADVANTAGES GAINED BY ENEMY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, June 21. An agency correspondent, commenting on the situation in the Western Desert, says it is understood to be possible that the British have suffered heavy losses at Tobruk, but the extent of these losses cannot be stated until more is known. The Germans and Ital--1 ians claim to have captured the whole place. That also is possible. It is not known whether any of the troops were able to fight their way out. Apparently the enemy were able to concentrate all their forces at one point. The capture of Tobruk will allow the enemy to shorten their communication lines considerably.