TIKIS LOCKED IN COMBAT IN DESERT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1942, Page 5

TIKIS LOCKED IN COMBAT IN DESERT

VITAL RIDGE GAINED

Unsuccessful Axis Efforts To Dislodge Allies

U.P.A. and British Wireless. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, July 17. Heavy fighting is going on in the central sector where the Allied forces hold a ridge running 10 or 12 miles 15 a , . enough to command the battle in every direction. It was captured on Wednesday morning after an all-night attack. Armoured forces on both sides are engaged in the battle, which began in the evening and went on with intensity throughout the night. General Auchinleck's attack against the Axis armoured forces was twofold. Tanks, including General Grants and General Lees, are operating in the dust and sand of the desert, while in the air bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters continue large-scale attacks. A Cairo communique states: "Heavy fighting developed yesterday in the central sector with the enemy continuing his efforts to dislodge our troops, who had established themselves on the south-west ridge. Armoured forces on both sides were engaged in the morning, and a number of enemy tanks were knocked out. Details of our own losses are not yet known. In the evening fighting was resumed in this area and continued into the night. Fighting also continued during the day in the northern sector. In the south the enemy withdrew slightly. Supporting our ground forces in the battle area and attacking targets in the rear, our bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters continued their large-scale dawn-to-dusk activities. The fighter-bombers scored direct hits on vehicles, many being badly dispersed, on tank workshops and on gun positions. Transport concentrations were heavily attacked by light bombers, large fires and explosions resulting. Throughout the hours of daylight our fighters maintained a continuous patrol over the battle area and shot down at least four enemy aircraft. From these extensive operations six of our aircraft are missing. Fighting Rages Continuously Regarding Tel el Isa, it is believed in London that after exchanging hands several times this hill now in our possession. The Ruweisak ridge, which is situated about twelve miles from the coast, is about eight miles long and two to three miles wide, and runs to the west. It has been the scene of a German attack since the evening of Wednesday last. Fighting has been continuous and the final result is not yet known. Both sides are using armour, artillery and infantry, the last being engaged in a battle on the ridge itself. Informed quarters are of the opinion that the fighting is on a bigger scale than the attacks which have taken place recently. Important Advance The Bth Army has made a small but important advance. The New Zealand and Indian infantry pushed a salient into the enemy's lines in the central sector of the El Alamein front early on Wednesday, and after that came a major tank battle, which at present is going on. A Cairo correspondent says the New Zealanders on the southern sector transformed part of their divisional cavalry into a tank unit, with which they are very happy. The tanks are four-men General Stewarts, fast and light American tanks carrying one two-pounder and three machine-guns, and they are stated to be ideal for patrols and reconnaissance, at which the New Zealanders are supreme. They had successful skirmishes with units of the German 90th Light Armoured Division.

The Allied left flank here is littered with derelict enemy guns and burned-out tanks, which were victims of the deadly fire of the New Zealanders' artilleiv and the Royal Air Force. The New Zealanders speak most highly of the activities of the air force.

Allied forces this morning drove Rommel's men from positions established in a small sector west of Tel el Isa, which the Axis won in the recent costly night attacks. The enemy reattacked and the fighting moved backward and forward all day, with Imperial forces believed to be still in possession.

The Air Ministry news sex-vice states that the strength of our air attack on the land forces in the Western Desert is everywhere increasing.

Fighter-bombers have pulverised many targets among enemy mechanised forces. In one operation two tanks and 12 trucks were destroyed and two more tanks left unserviceable.

The Associated Press correspondent in the Western Desert pays a tribute to two Australian doctors at the most forward army field hospital where English, Australian, New Zealand, Italian and German wounded were borne in side by side in a steady stream on Wednesday afternoon and night. The Australian doctors are doing virtually all the work in the tented mobile surgery. They have saved countless lives.

The correspondent watched the doctors at work. One of their marvels was a lad shot through the thigh. The doctors said this type of wound caused numerous deaths in the last war. but although working with limited equipment and often forced to improvise, they were satisfied the patient will soon be walking again.