VETERANS IN BATTLE

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 253, 27 October 1942, Page 5

VETERANS IN BATTLE

FRENCH AND BRITISH DIVISIONS.

B.O.W.

RUGBY, Oct. 26.

The French forces with the 8th Army are the largest yet to participate in Allied operations in the Western Desert. They are commanded by General De Larminat. Units under 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. Among the troops attacking in Egypt is 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 1940. The 50th (Northumbria) Division also served in France, where it made a counterattack at Arras. Its skilful withdrawal from its Gazala position earlier this year is also recalled. The 51st (Highland) Division was in Lorraine with the French, then was transferred northwards 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 this is the first mention of its appearance in the Middle East. The Fourth Indian Division has already covered itself with glory, from the days of the flrst Libyan offensive. The First South African Division fought in Somaliland and Ethiopia, and in the Libyan offensive last November.