DEFENCE AREA HELD

Evening Star, Issue 24290, 3 September 1942, Page 5

DEFENCE AREA HELD

Allied Resistance To Rommel Enemy Tanks Quickly Engaged Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. noon.) LONDON, September 2. At no part of the front in Egypt has the enemy penetrated the Allied defence area. Some of yesterday’s flghting was fierce while it lasted, but it is not yet clear whether or not it heralded a general offensive by Field-Marshal Rommel. The country is fairly good for armoured warfare and at certain points the enemy tanks came out in considerable force. However, they were quickly engaged by the British. Allied patrols in the central and northern sectors met with great success. The bulk of the forces now comprising the Eighth Army are from the United Kingdom, and those regiments in the south, where the brunt of the attack has fallen, are almost entirely English. Further news of the battle in Egypt is awaited with the keenest attention, and most eager hopes in London. The latest news shows that armoured forces are engaged on both sides, but past experience does not lead to expectation of an early decision. Tank battles have been fought for weeks in the past, while reinforcements for both armies during the last two months point to another bloody, bitter battle. The immense issues at stake are well appreciated. Although land, sea, and air factors are wholly interlocked, the struggle is seen as a continuing battle for command of communications of the Mediterranean. In the words of ‘ The Times ’ to-day, “ the beys of the Mediterranean are held in the first place on land.” A Cairo communique states: During the night of August 31 our forces in the northern sector made a successful raid and took a number of German prisoners. In the southern sector on September 1 our forces, including armour and artillery, fought throughout the day with enemy armoured forces between El Hameniat and Ruweisat.