BATTLE FOR EGYPT

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXV, Issue 254, 28 October 1942, Page 2

BATTLE FOR EGYPT

REPORTS FROM AXIS SOURCES POWEEFUL BRITISH ATTACKS. STRUGGLE'S UNDIMINISHED VIOLENCE,

P.A. Gable.

LONDON, Oet. 27.

A German communique says: "The Egyptian battle is contlnu- . ing with undiminished violencs. The British yesterday threw in fresh forces and tried vainly to break through Italian and German positions. The Italians and Germans destroyed 111 tanks and 38 armoured cars. Italian and German planes increasingly attacked the British rear communications and shot down 14 Allied machines over the battle area and the Mediterranean." An Italian communique repeats the German statements but claims that in ' all 22 Allied planes were shot down. It says that one Italian submarine failed to return to its base and one enemy submarine was sunk. The German news agency says that the 8th Army brought up reserves and extended its offensive to the central sector, but nowhere gained a decisive advantage. "The British attempted to tjurn our position from the Qattara Depression and lost several tanks." The Beobachter declares that the Allied offensive in the Western Desert is being carried out with extraordinarily strong forces. "It need hardly be emphasised," says the paper, "that the Axis forces have to face the hardest demands. It is obvious that the enemy has concentrated his war effort in North Africa." Berlin, radio reported that British troops from east of Mersa Matruh early to-day attempted a landing in speed-boats behind positions at E1 Alamein, but Italian bombers caused a withdrawal. A German radio despatch from E1 Alamein states that Axis tanks, supported by infantrv, engaged British tanks in bitter fights. The battle continued all Sunday night and Monday morning and even increased in violence. "Although the battle is not yet over we are in a position to state that the Italian and German forces stood up to the powerful attacks unleashed by the enemy." It is stated in London that the Axis convoy was on its way to Libya when smashed up by Allied planes. It comprised three ships with four c-scorting destroyers and planes overhead. Allied heavy and light bombers and torpedo-planes attacked relentlessly in the face of a terrific fire, from the destroyers. Only one1 Axis supplyship escaped. Allied air forcesi are maintaining a continucfus shuttle service attack against enemy coneentrations, strong pcints and supply lines.