CAREFULLY PLANNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 162, 13 July 1942, Page 5

CAREFULLY PLANNED

ATTACK REACHES LIMITS OF OBJECTIVE (Recd. 7 p.m.) Rugby, July 11. The attack before dawn yesterday on the Axis forces in the Alamein area was described in a broadcast from the front. “During the day we reached our first objective, the railway station of Tel el Ester, about five miles west of the Alamein position. Tel el Ester is the next station along the line from Alamein. “Fighting had been heavy from the beginning, but our infantry, backed up by the whole weight of our Air Forces, forged ahead against every enemy effort to hold them. “The first advance from the northern position of Alamein itself was made by Dominion troops, supported by tanks. South of them a concentration of British armoured forces was waiting in strength for the right moment to attack the Axis tanks of

the 21st. Panzer Division. This division, which has been 'constantly engaged since the end of May, has gathered its remaining tanks and a few reinforcements at a point opposite the British position southwards of Alamein. Further south, near the Quattara Depression, more Dominion troops have been engaged in fighting of a more mobile character. With them are men from the United Kingdom working in mobile columns. In this sector the enemy had been moving slowly forward for the last day or two, trying to improve his rather precarious position. This movement continued throughout yesterday, apparently being connected with the oattle in the north. “Our columns attacking the enemy north of the Depression destroyed several tanks, and elsewhere in the lighting we have destroyed material and captured numbers of prisoners, mostly Italians.” The broadcaster added: “This has been a planned and carefully-de-livered attack. The objective is strictly limited and the first part of the programme has gone satisfactorily.”—B.O.W. JUNKERS DESTROYED INTERCEPTED BY R.A.F. BEAUFIGHTERS • (Recd. 9 p.m.) Cairo, July 12. ! At least twelve Junkers troop- : carrying planes off the Noi/ii African ' coast on the morning of July 11 were destroyed or badly damaged when a handful of Beaufighters intercepted a large formation which was heavily escorted by twin-engined fighters, ! Squadron-Leader C. V. Orgden, 'leader of the Beaufighters, who shot down one of the Junkers himself, said: I “An amazing thing was that . not a j single one of our pilots was injured. I We were patrolling off the coast when we caught up with the Junkers. We i followed in line astern, diving on them (when they were about 50 feet above | the sea. Although we are claiming only two Junkers destroyed, there L were at least three with engines on 'i lire going out to sea, and also eight ' more pretty badly knocked about.” •I GERMAN ALIENS ARRESTED IN NEW YORK II ■ (Recd. 7 p.m.) Rugby, July 11. The Federal Bureau of Investiga- ’ tion, Washington, announced the ’■ arrest of 158 German aliens in the ■ New York area yesterday and last ’ night. It is said they were members ! of the German Vocational League.