VON ROMMEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 297, 17 December 1941, Page 5

VON ROMMEL

NEW PHASE IN LIBYA DETAILS LACKING CAIRO SAYS THAT ACTION IS MOVING SATISFACTORILY (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) London, Dee. 15. A neyy phase has developed In the operations in Libya. Axis troops are noyv giving battle to the pursuing British forces. After withdrawing steadily west- ' wards for a week. General Rommel's forces turned about and engaged the [main strength of the British troops. \x ho had been gradually closing in on them. A Cairo military spokesman said that General Rommel's action became in effect a delaying action, launched xvitli the bulk ot his remaining tanks and infantry forces in a desperate effort to hold back the British advance. The iiattle yvas fought in heavy rain on a broad front extending roughly from Gazala to Tmimi and the desert track knoyvn as the Road of the Slaves. This trail; starts ten miles south of Sidi Omai; then it goes slightly to the north of El Gobi, and then to a point about 40 south-west of Gazala; next it runs in a southwesterly direction. Details of the action are lacking but British circles express satisfaction xvith the preliminary reports. It yvas learnt in London this afternoon that British forces now occupy the barracks at Solium, though they are not holding the whole of Solium village. The Bardia and Halfaya positions are still in the hands of the enemy. To-day's Cairo communique reports more Empire successes. In spite of had weather, the main British force has made still further progress in the area south-west of Gazala. North of the Slaves' Track Indian and British troops during their advance yvere twice attacked hy German tanks and