NAZI TRAP TANKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 225, 24 September 1942, Page 2

NAZI TRAP TANKS

KNIGHTSBRIDGE DEBACLE. A corner of the veil shrouding the action on June 13, when a British tank force in Libya was reduced from 300 to 70 is lifted by a letter from a British tank officer. He described how the Germans enticed and misled the British tanks. After a fortnight’s moves and counter-moves with no apparent advantage to either side, the situation suddenly became worse for the British forces, and it was imperative to keep an avenue of retreat open for the Knightsbridge garrison. British tanks in position on a ridge ■with a deep valley behind them and another valley to the left shelled and destroyed a few German vehicles in front of them. Then tanks appeared among the wrecked vehicles, but did little. They seemed to move aimlessly about. There was a little artillery fire, and then the enemy clumsily laid a smokescreen in front of the tanks. “We watched anxiously, but-nothing happened,’’ the officer says. “Jerry laid a second screen, but still nothing happened. “Jerry had wanted us to watch that clumsy smoke, for suddenly to the left scores of tanks came up from the valley and came against us at full speed. “Simultaneously, the enemy tanks ahead started to come in with reinforcement. On the right flank 88millimetre guns opened fire from concealed positions. “There was half an hour of daylight left, during which the British force was decisively damaged. The enemyhad not gained an objective of any sort, but few of us were left anS fewer were still fit to fight. “Meanwhile, the Knightsbridge garrison got away safely.”