QUIETER SPELL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 178, 30 July 1942, Page 5

QUIETER SPELL

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, BrMeft OJBcM HWmb face. noon. RUGBX, July*29i» Cairo communique says that 1 Tand operations yesterday were con■fined_ to patrols "with some artillery activity in the northern sector. Air activity was on a reduced scale. Our planes attacked barges near Sidi Barrani and set one on fire. Our torpedocarrying aircraft hit and damaged a [large merchantman on the lonian Sea. Heavy bombers of the Allied air forces made a successful dusk attack on shipping in Suda Bay, Crete.

Air activity over Malta was also on a reduced scale.

Australian, South African and British troops, who have been engaged since Sunday night in sharp assaults against Rommel's forces dug in on the northern sector from the sea to Ruweisak, were earlier reported to have withdrawn from exposed forward points held throughout Monday. New Zealanders to the south of this contested sector sallied out before sunrise on Monday on a diversion raid to relieve the pressure on the Australians.

Correspondents with the fighting forces emphasise that our troops have fallen back only to the positions from which we launched this limited offensive, also that our men gained and held their objectives and withdrew when it was evident we were unable to exploit the infantry penetration with an effective armoured thrust.

It is agreed that we have shaken up the enemy, but suffered losses. Our fighter-bombers streamed over the battle area, providing most valuable air support. The enemy fought back fiercely.

The struggle reached i the peak of intensity before sunset on Monday,, fwhen. British, South African and jAustralian artillery put down a "heavy wall of fire to cover our with* drawal to*the former positions.