ARMOURED DIVISION VERSUS 'PANZA'

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 185, 26 November 1941, Page 4

ARMOURED DIVISION VERSUS 'PANZA'

WITH the feats of the New Zealand Forces (the Kiwis) still fresh in the public mincl, the Libyan Desert battle Gommences to assume first class importance in the broad trend of the war events. The most interesting points emanating from the struggle from the technician's view is the manner in which mechanical warfare is waged when both sides are on more or less equal terms. The new Libyan campaign is providing the first opportunity to observers to note the clash of 'armoured divisions' against the celebrated 'panzas' perfected in the greatest secrecy,, and utilised with such deadly effect by the Nazis. To-day on the Libyan sands the panza divisions of Germany, upon which Hitler pinned, his greatest hopes are being extended as never before. Confronted with .forces equally as powerful as they themselves the divisions are making heavy weather of it under the merciless attacks of the co-operating flights of 'Tomahawks' from the air, and the terrific broadsides of American-built fortresses, the sides of which defy penetration by the shells which have hitherto spread terror and destruction against armies less prepared. The panz,\ to-day is getting a taste of its own medicine, with the shells of the British fleet thrown in for a little extra flavouring. The outcome will be closely watched by military experts who are following the swaying course of the battle day by day. Already the losses of the enemy on the three to one scale appears to substantially bear out the success of the planned strategy of the British High Command though the note: of warning is not altogether absent from the communiques which arrive from day to day. The main clash is yet to develop—or rather, it may even now be in progress, though the news of it has xiot come to hand. Five British armoured divisions are now contesting for the sands of Libya., forming a vanguard with the supporting air force, for the eager thousands of free men who follow. Fierce hand to hand fighting is reported east of Tobruk where we can assume the core of the battle to be now situated. In the ranks of the Eighth Army are British, Colonial, Indian, Free French, Poles, Belgians, Dutchmen, Norwegians and Serbs. The whole constitute a mighty combination of irresistible strength, against which event the vaunted 'panzas' of Hitler's creation, wilt and collapse:. The lessons of Libya may well spell the secret of the greater victory which has yet to overthrow the monster of German Domination.