FIRST COMMUNIQUE.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 252, 26 October 1942, Page 5

FIRST COMMUNIQUE.

The1 first communique announeing the attack, issued on Saturday, stated: "The Eighth Army, with strong air support, attacked lasf night. Fierce fighting developed and is continuing." The operations follow days and nights of ceaseiess and intense activity by the R.A.F. The communique continued: "The Allied air forces during Thursday night and yesterday continued their pressure on enemy landing grounds in, the forward area. In combat yesterday, we destroyed eight enemy fighters and damaged many others.

ihe eneimy continued their fighter-bomber tactics over Malta with negligible results. Our fighters shot down one aircraft and two others were destroyed by ground fire. Four of our aircraft failed to return, but one pilot is sa-fe." A naval communique from Alexandra says: "Coastal forces carried out an attack on enemy coastal positions near Mersa Matruli on Friday night. Our forces were attacked by enemy aircraft, but all return, ed safely. No casualties were sustained, but one boat reeeived superficial darnage." An agency correspondent with the 8th Army sent the following cable yesterday about the attack: "In perfeet moonlight,, Generals Alexander and Montgomery started their offensive at 10 o'clock last night, when our troops smashed through the enemy's defences at several places. Beyond this fact it is impossible at this early stage to indicate, the success or the scale of operations, The R.A.F. werp again most conspdcuous over the battle area, with, medium bombers and naval aircraft making a great effort, their sortdes Teaching almost record figui'es. ' 'Fi ghter-bomfoer s continued their attack on the landing ground at Ei Daba, bombs bursting among dispersed enemy aircraft and tents. Many fires were started and we shot down, six Me.lG9s and two Macchis. Medium and light bombers and naval aircraft made a.nother successful attack on El Daba landing ground, extinguishmg searchlights and destraying tents and buildings as well as numerous aircraft and vehicles before carrying out strafing operations." AN UNFORGETTABLE SIGHT. Reuter's correspondent at Air Headquarters on the Egyptian front says Britain's vast new desert army is seeing an unforgettable sight. Score after score of British and American planes are roaring over to pound and strafe Axis forces far and near. The power of the combined Allied forces has been gathering for weeks like a dark cloud. Now it has fallen like a tempest on the sprawling Axis army in North Africa. The Luftwaffe puts up vigorous opposition over its own territory, but has not shown itself able or willing to retaliate. It is two days since a fighter-escorted bombing raid was attempted against our forward landing grounds, and that was a feeble effort which our an ti -aircraft guns alone beat off. The Allies' present air offensive is assuming bigger proportions than the onslaught which 1 stopped Rommel more than three months ago. Rome radio said that air engagements on Friday over the Egyptian front were the biggest yet in the Mediterranean sector. More than 400 planes met in successive battles. The attack by the Eighth Army is so far seen in London only against the background of the past four months of the campaign — since the Eighth Army halted in its retreat on Egypt. It is considered. that Field - Marshal Rommel's attack on August 30 was made with the expectation of getting into the Nile Delta. The attack was admirably dealt with and Rommel suffered defeat, since when no movement of importance has taken place. For four months, therefore, the opposing armies have been preparing lines both for attack and defence. Military observers here consider that not spectacular advance should be expected. The only possible attack is a frontal attack. The El Alamein front is a bare 40 miles in extent, with firm flanks resting on the Quattara Depression and the sea. The German is extremely thorough. His defence preparations lack nothing in ingenuity and care and must be strong and deep,