NIGHT ADVANCE IN DESERT

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 28, 28 October 1942, Page 5

NIGHT ADVANCE IN DESERT

Eighth Army Makes New Inroads

LONDON, October 27. Today’s communique from General Headquarters in Cairo states: “During Sunday night our forces extended the area they had occupied in the enemy’s defences, and yesterday our gains were maintained. The fighting continues." Large-scale air operations were continued over the battle area and forward landing grounds during the night and day of Sunday and yesterday, the communique continues. Bombers and fighterbombers attacked a variety of targets, and our fighters operated by day and night on a large scale. Sixteen enemy planes were shot down. Continued air patrols were carried out as protection for our land forces against enemy air activity, which was on an increased scale. Long-range bombers heavily damaged an enemy tanker and merchantman. Ten of our planes are missing. ,

Brussels radio says that the Allies in North Africa have 1,000,600 men, 1000 tanks, and a large number of aircraft. The “Dailv Telegraph’s” correspondent with the Eighth Army says Rommel’s most powerful counter-attacks are directed against the Australians, who beat off five distinct blows within a few hours. London newspapers publish the first radio pictures from, the "Western Desert. The most dramatic shows soldiers in tin hats and shorts leaping to the attack with fixed bayonets through a maze of enemy shellfire. IN ENEMY REAR Troop Landing Attempt Claimed Frustrated LONDON, October 26. An Italian communique states that renewed violent enemy attacks, supported by armoured forces, in Egypt failed. The number of enemy tanks destroyed was increased to 104. “Our assault planes frustrated an enemy attempt to land troops in the rear of our lines in the Mersa Matruh area, and also forced numerous enemy motorbarges carrying troops to turn back,’ it adds. A German communique claims that very heavy losses everywhere were inflicted on the British in Egypt during a successful defence against heavy attacks. The communique then repeats the passages of the Rome communique referring to Egypt. Vichy radio, quoting a German news agency message which was endorsed by the German High. Command, said that the German main lines at El Alamein were not pierced. The Afrika Korps is anticipating a. new British assault, air reconnaissance revealing that large British forces are concentrating in the southern and northern fringes of the front. Vichy radio declared that the Axis reserve troops in Egypt were not yet engaged in the battle. IN THE N.Z. LINES (•Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, October 26. All the positions taken by the New Zealanders following their night attack when General Montgomery launched his offensive against Rommel are still held. Though no details of yesterdays fighting have yet reached Cairo, it is believed here that the New Zealanders were not engaged in any major action yesterday. They consolidated all their iiewly-taken objectives, and are now ready to take their part in the next phase of the Eighth Army’s offensive. BRITISH UNITS Some Recent Arrivals (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, October 26. Among the troops attackingin EgyPu are the 44th (Home Counties) Division which is a comparatively recent arrival in the desert, though it took a prominent part in the defeat of the Axis offensive in September. It formed part of the Third Corps in Flanders in 1040. . . The 50th (Norhnmbria) Division also served in France, where it made a counter-attack at Arras. Its skilful withdrawal from the Gazala position earlier this year is also recalled. The 51st (Highland) Division was in Lorraine with the French, and then transferred northward when the Germans attacked, but only a few thousand got away when the division was trapped at St. Valery. The division has now been reconstituted, and tins is the first mention of its appearance in the Middle East. . . , The Fourth Indian Division has already covered itself with glory from the day of the first Libyan offensive. The First South African Division fought in Somaliland, Ethiopia, and the Libyan offensive last November. The French forces with the Eighth Armv are the largest yet to participate in Allied operations in the Western Desert. They are commanded by General de Larminat. Units undet General Koenig, the defender of Bir Hacheim, have already engaged the enemy in one sector in the present advance. General Koenig’s men, who suffered severe losses at Bir Hacheim, have since been reinforced. Marines, composed mainly of Bretons, Parisians, and Foreign Legionaries, form the backbone of General Koenig's force.

BRITISH SUBMARINE OFFENSIVE Great Part In Campaign (British Official Wireless.) (Received October 27, 7 p.iu.) RUGBY, October 26. The navy’s part in the Mediterranean campaign is outstanding. During the last recorded series of attacks four British submarines sank five Italian supply ships, probably sank a destroyer and an armed merchant cruiser, and damaged five other ships. Tliis brought the total Axis supply ships sunk or damaged in the Mediterranean by submarines during October to 24, of which 14 were sunk.