VICTORY COMPLETE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 37, 7 November 1942, Page 7

VICTORY COMPLETE

Rommel Routed In Desert

4000 MORE AXIS PRISONERS

LONDON, November 6.

Continued pursuit of the retreating Axis forces in the Western Desert is revealed in today s Cairo communique, which says that our armoured forces made contact with enemy rearguards well west of El Daba. A minimum of 4000 prisoners was taken yesterday. A large number of Italians were rounded up in the desert, apparently having been abandoned by the Germans. The commander of the Italian Taranto Division has been captured. Heavy scale bombing raids on Fuka and Bargush on Wednesday night continued to harass the enemy.

The Eighth Army has achieved an absolute victory. The enemy is now in full retreat. Our armour is now operating in the enemy’s rear areas and has gone in to destroy him completely. This announcement was made today bv General Montgomery. He added: “For two nights the coastal road was blocked with Axis traffic four lines deep, trying to move westward. Those still facing us in the south will be put in the bag. The Axis forces are smashed. I never expected such a.complete victory.” The British United Press correspondent quotes General Montgomery as saying: “The Boche is completely finished in North Africa.’’ Reuter’s Ankara correspondent says it is reliably reported that when it became apparent that Rommel’s positions were desperate, Herr Hitler sent an S.O.S. to Tokio urging the Japanese to stage a diversion against South Africa or Madagascar, hoping thereby to take British troops from Egypt and thus relieve the pressure on Rommel. Tokio’s reply was: “Our hands are already more than full with our own troubles. Japan has neither troops nor warships to spare.” Rommel’s retreat has become a headlong rout, apparently because our armour smashed through his anti-tank gun screen, says the British United Press correspondent, Richard McMillan. So many prisoners are falling into our hands that it has not been possible to count them. At first they were Germans, but now they are nearly all Italians. . t Defensive Screen Broken. LONDON, November 5. The Eighth Army tonight is pressing hard ou the heels of Rommel’s forces, whose rearguard in the northern sector is reported to consist largely of Italians, covered by a screen of anti-tank guns and tanks which, after a relentless hammering, broke at many points. Guns were found intact with the crews dead beside them. The Eighth Army continues to mow down the enemy in the grimmbst fighting seen in the desert. Leaflets announcing the breakthrough and urging surrender in order to avoid massacre have been dropped over the fleeing enemy. The 8.8. C. correspondent states that the German dead in Egypt include General von Snnnnerman, commander of the 90th Division, and also that General von Prittzitz, commander of the 15th panzers, has been captured. Enemy positions holding out in the south are fairly scattered and are mainly manned by Italians. The prisoners now pouring into the cages are mostly Italian, The Italians were not accorded the truce which they requested to bury their dead.

The “Daily Express” correspondent, describing a great tank battle near Tel el Akakir on Tuesday afternoon, says it was fought with the utmost ruthlessness, both sides realizing the magnitude of the stakes involved. The dust storm kicked up by the battle equalled the worst resulting from natural causes. Whenever a tank is hit, a sheet of flame is distinguishable through the encircling gloom and then a dull red glow like a brazier as the tank blazes up. It is a horrible spectacle. Those who are able, jump from the burning tanks and run into the welcome gloom of smoke and sand clouds till -machineguns mow them down.

Some BritiPh tank crews whose tanks are knocked out are brought from the battle hanging on to the outside of tanks which have been damaged, but are coming out under their own power. Their faces are bright yellow with sand, their clothing is filthy with oil and sweat, and some of the wounded are bound up with their own emergency bandages. The Egyptian correspondent of “The Times” says it is estimated that a British armoured brigade on the night of November 2 knocked out 70 tanks, moPtly of the 21st Banzers. Australians in the coastal sector captured two 88-milli,metre guns in perfect condition and also thousands of shells. They immediately turned the guns, put them in action and destroyed at least. 10 other guns. BERLIN REPORT New Front “Stabilizes” LONDON, November (>. The Germans arc displaying an unexpected sense of humour in adversity. Berlin radio reports today that Ronunel's "new front in Egypt has been stabilized.” VICE-REGAL MESSAGE Another Magnificent Achievement The following message was sent by his Excellency the Governor-General to General Sir Bernard Freyburg, V.C. “Congratulations to you and all in the New Zealand Division on yet another niagniliceht. achievement. Besh wishes to all. N EWALD. Governor-General.”