The Waikato Times THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1942 BATTLE FOR LIBYA

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21758, 18 June 1942, Page 2

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1942 BATTLE FOR LIBYA

With the withdrawal of the Allied forces from Gazala the battle for Libya has entered another phase. Tobruk is now more clearly becoming the base of Allied operations and the enemy is trying to drive the Empire forces back on that base. Acroma to the westward is still holding out and the enemy must exhaust much energy before he can hope to reach the outer defensive circle of Tobruk. El Adem to the southward of Tobruk is also still held. It is in this region that the attempt must be made to prevent the enemy bypassing or surrounding Tobruk and driving to the Egyptian border. The | by-passing of the fortress town is always a possibility, but in the previous drive Germany was not prepared to risk it. Rommel is a ! bold general and will attempt anything that offers a prospect of success. It is more probable, however, that unless the Allied forces succeed in defeating the Germans in the open desert, Tobruk will have to face a more pressing siege than before. The battle for Libya is not confined to the arid coastal belt of Cyrenaica. All over the Mediterranean its repercussions are being felt. Both the Axis and the Allies are attempting to convey reinforcements of men and supplies to the Cyrenaican coast and counteraction by both sides is fierce and relentless. For four days violent sea and air attacks have been made on convoys and the resulting battles have caused losses to both sides. Another of Italy’s precious 10,000-ton cruisers and two destroyers have been sunk and other warships damaged. The British losses are not yet known, but it is declared that extravagant Italian claims are without foundation. Most important, convoys carrying supplies to Tobruk and Malta succeeded in making the passage. To hamper the reinforcement and supply of the Axis forces, Allied bombing raids are being made in many parts of the Mediterranean. Although the situation in Libya generally is undoubtedly difficult, there are several features which still give cause for confidence in the outcome. So long as the Allies hold Tobruk their communications should be superior to those of the Germans. The enemy is still a hundred miles from the Egyptian border, and the farther he advances the more difficult will his supply problems become. The Allied line is being shortened and therefore should be held more firmly. Strength in the air remains one of the vital factors. German divebombers have been credited with causing much havoc, but there seems to be no reason why General Ritchie should not receive sufficient reinforcements from the great Allied pool to gain and maintain superiority in the air. If the fighting develops on the Russian front it seems that Germany will have difficulty in diverting many more planes to North Africa.