Rommel's Supply Position Worse

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 127, 1 June 1942, Page 5

Rommel's Supply Position Worse

POUNDED BY BRITISH

Cairo Sees Battle Swinging In Allied Favour At Climax

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Roc. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. It is estimated in Cairo that at least 600 Axis vehicles have been destroyed in Cyrenaica as a result of the R.A.F. all-out blitz against enemy columns, over 200 of which were destroyed throughout yesterday. The whole area over which the panzers drove forward around the Bir Hacheim pivot is strewn with burnt-out tanks and trucks. Rail losses naturally have been heavy. Comparatively few Axis planes have been shot down, but the policy of ceaseless attack may decisively influence the enemy plans. Already it is felt that it has been justified. The whole of the Afrika Corps, with the exception of a few units of the 1 9th Light Division, is now engaged eastward of the Allied forward line from El Gazala to Bir Hacheim. There was an air of restrained optimism in Cairo to-night as the battle reached its climax. Axis armoured forces are doing their utmost to exploit the two gaps they have punched in the centre of the great minefield around the Allied forward positions. They are now trying to push vital supplies through the gaps to their formations around Knightsbridge, in the face of shattering artillery fire from British 2 5-pounders, which again are proving the best field artillery weapon. Confidence Grows Hourly The British United Press correspondent says confidence in the battle of Knightsbridge is growing hourly. The tank columns which Rommel sent against our rear at El Gazala and' into the Acroma El Adem sector of the road the Germans had built around Tobruk have both been beaten back to their main positions at Knightsbridge.

The correspondent adds that Rommel ordered an Italian infantry division to attack the northern sector of the British line near El Gazala. The Italians, using a new type of armoured car, went in with vim, but came out with greater vigour, the British troops chasing them closely behind. Hundreds of Germans have been taken prisoner. The majority lie exhausted with their shirts off, their eyes half-closed and all the fight gone out of them. Rommel still has supplies to last him until Monday. He may unleash another big attack in order to save the reputation of the Afrika Corps. Though the Axis tank strength seems to be equal and the strategic position in our favour, we have apparently outgeneralled and out-fought the Germans in a pretty decisive mam er. message from Cairo to-night stated that fighting was going on with the same intensity southward of Acroma.