IN GREAT HEART

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 288, 3 September 1942, Page 5

IN GREAT HEART

Eighth Army Reinforced And Ready

(Received September 2, tf p.m.) LON D ON, September 1.

Whether the present operations are a full-scale offensive or merely local, only the events of the next few days can show, says the correspondent of “The Times” with the Eighth , Army. Under its hew commander-in-chief, the Eighth Army is in great heart—refreshed, reinforced and eager for action. There is a full realization of the vital importance of throwing back the enemy and it can confidently be asserted that our men will light to the finish. .The Allied official attitude is neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic. For reasons pf military strategy and policy there is likely to be little news for the next few days. Eight-mile Advance,

Rommel has advanced eight miles in his new push in the southern sector on the El Alaiiiein front, says Reuter’s Cairo correspondent. The advance was made through the Allied, minefields.' The Axis attempt to punch through the centre of the El Alamein line has been firmly held and the situation .there is described as being fully under control,. The Germans are. using all types of equipment, including heavy tanks aud dive-bombers. Another Cairo message states that: by the light of the waning moon two strqug Axis columns thrust toward General Montgomery’s fluid southern sector at .1 o’clock yesterday morning. The Allied artillery and air forces vigorously attacked the German tanks, which were accompanied by big formations of motor transports as they pushed forward along the dry riverbeds. Rommel’s 90 th Light Infantry was heavily shelled as it .became entangled in the minefield.. It was then engaged by infantry. The Allied tank forces did not make contact with the enemy throughout yesterday. When dusk ended the major operations the Axis forces had Slightly withdrawn from the point which they reached a little north-east of El Hiineimut, the hill position around which the mail) fighting proceeded .all day. This is the farthest point:of the Axis advance. ■ A British United Press correspondent with the Eighth Army says that Rommel's advance was characterized by extreme caution, The German tanks, mostly Mark 3’s, did not attack in a body but were widely spread out in clusters, Rommel transferred supplies of ammunition and fuel and other stores on Tuesday and Wednesday from the north to the south. The Allied air forces observed the movement and severely pasted the transports. . The dust storms which aided the early stages of Rommel’s attack interfered with the refuelling of our planes. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that the Allied forces made no real attempt to stop Rommel’s advance, only to delay him. Therefore, bis advance is regarded as slow and no pessimism is felt here concerning it. From the Allies’ viewpoint, the battle has not yet begun. Rommel has merely moved into what is regarded as a huge no-man’s-land. '