GREAT BRITISH PRESSURE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21600, 10 December 1941, Page 6

GREAT BRITISH PRESSURE

MAIN AXIS FORCES HARASSED

RESCUE OF 800 NEW ZEALANDERS

WOUNDED MEN EVACUATED FROM SIDI REZEGH

LONDON, Dec. 9

Continued British pressure in a westerly direction is reported in the latest communiques from Libya. The main concentration of Axis forces is still stated to be south of Tobruk and all reports indicate that British mobile columns are harassing the enemy from the east.

A New Zealand colonel led the force which gallantly rescued wounded New Zealanders who were stranded in an advanced casualty clearing station near Sidi Rezegh. The force located the station in bright moonlight and successfully evacuated 300 severely injured men and 500 others who were able to walk.

General Auchinleck is now trying to impale General Rommel by a three-pronged attack south-east, south-west and nortlveast. At present the British tactics comprise heavy shelling from three sides and harassing the flanks with light tanks.

Army observers believe that the British commander realised the need for more heavy artillery to deal with heavy enemy tanks, thereby forcing General Rommel on the defensive and to use the British lighter tanks more economicallv.

An authoritative source states that there is a consider able number of the enemy of all arms on the Tobruk—Bin el-Gobi line. Also a considerable number which ly invested Tobruk are capable of offering substantial resistance.

An Italian communique reports violent fighting at the Tobruk front between the Axis forces and enemy infantry, supported by tanks. The British are intensely shelling our strongholds on the Solium front.