BRITISH ADVANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21604, 15 December 1941, Page 6

BRITISH ADVANCE

RETREAT OF GERMANS CAMPAIGN IN LIBYA FIERCE BATTLES LIKELY (Doited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 14 The British advance into Libya is progressing and the position apparently is that the British forces are overhauling the retreating Axis forces and fiercer battles may be expected at any moment. A Cairo communique refers to the pursuit of fleeing German troops on a 40-mile front west and north-west of a area south of Gazala. Gazala itself, which is about 60 miles west of Tobruk, is encircled by New Zealanders. Mobile forces are dislocating the Axis forces and the retreat is now becoming disorganised. British Closing In

A Middle East communique states: Yesterday our main forces again made progress in the face of determined resistance by the German and Italian troops holding rearguard positions south-west of Gazala. Our troops are also closing in on defensive positions covering Gazala itself. Reports, which are still incomplete, show that yesterday a few Italian tanks were destroyed, while 18 guns and about 500 German and Italian prisoners were captured north-west of Bir Hakeim. '

In addition small batches of prisoners are still being rounded up in the area over which the tide of the main battle has passed. Our air forces bombed enemy motor columns, with special success on the roads west and north-west of Gazala and west of Derna. New Zealanders’ Success A Cairo press message says it was on December 12 that the New Zealanders finally succeeded in completely encircling Gazala after having set up a hard fight lasting four hours. They finally repulsed the enemy with mortars and machine-guns and captured 10 times more prisoners than they had lost.

Many of the enemy were unable to withdraw. The enemy left large dumps of supplies which they had not time to remove.