LULL ENDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20877, 1 September 1942, Page 4

LULL ENDED

EGYPTIAN FRONT ROMMELJ3TRIK.ES MAJOR-SCALE BATTLE HEAVY ITALIAN LOSSES fHy Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 1. Fighting has flared up in Egypt vyi.th' a strong German thrust on the British southern flank, but it is not known yet whether this is the start ol tin offensive on a major scale, although some heavy fighting has taken place. The War Office issued the following statement early this morning: “For some days past there have been signs of renewed activity on General Rommel’s front, and' early this morning German forces, including armoured units, pushed forward against our southern flarjk in the neighbourhood of El Hirr.eimat, where they were immediately engaged by our light forces, and fighting is on a* major scale. A weak enemy thrust, mainly by, Italians, made against our main front, was repulsed with loss to the enemy.” It has been apparent for some time that the enemy has been heavily supplied with both munitions and men in .the desprt, and it appeared .that an attack was being prepared, ancj although developments are awaited in order to determine whether General Rommel’s meve is on an extensive scale, it would appear that the lull in the activity has definitely ended. Mention of fighting being already on a major scale supports this view.