BRITISH SUCCESSES

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21599, 9 December 1941, Page 6

BRITISH SUCCESSES

INCREASE IN PRESSURE NEW ZEALAND HOSPITAL (Official Wireless) i (Received Dec. 9, 3.15 p.m.) ! RUGBY, Dec. 8 A Cairo headquarters communique states: Throughout the whole battle area our pressure is steadily increasing. West of Bir-el-Gobi an enemy force of about 30 tanks and 500 motor vehicles was heavily ■helled and attacked by our armoured forces about midday on December 6. In this action seven enemy tanks were destroyed and three enemy tanks and a number of mechanical transport damaged. The enemy column withdrew to the west, still harassed by our forces. During the withdrawal armoured car patrols of the King’s Dragoons Guards picked up about 40 German stragglers. South of Tobruk and towards El Adem the centre of enemy resistance is being vigorously attacked. The area about Sidi Rezegh and Be! Hamed now appears to be entirely clear of the enemy. Fighting patrols of the Border Regiment have been active throughout this area.

At Sidi Rezegh they found 18 modern German tanks and much equipment, including wireless apparatus, on the ground. The New Zealand Divisional dressing station, which has been overrun by the enemy during the attack in which they occupied Sidi Rezegh, was found, and the wounded there are being evacuated as speedily as possible. A number of guns overrun by the enemy in the same action have been recovered.