ARMOURED FORCES ENGAGED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 3 September 1942, Page 5

ARMOURED FORCES ENGAGED

IMMENSE ISSUES AT STAKE . COMMAND OF COMMUNICATIONS ' (Rec. 10 a.m.) Rugby, Sept. 2. i Further news of the battle of Egypt , is awaited with the keenest attention ■ and the most eager hopes in London. The latest news shows that armoured I forces are engaged on both sides, but 1 past experience does not lead to expectation of an early decision. Tank battles have been fought for weeks in the i past, while reinforcement of both 1 armies during the last two months i points to another bitter and bloody bat--1 tie. The immense issues at stake are j ! well appreciated. Although land, sea and air factors are wholly interlocked. t the struggle is seen as a continuing bat- , tie for the command of communications of the Mediterranean. In the* words of “The Times” to-day the keys ’ of the Mediterranean are held in the 1 first place on land.” —8.0. W. > SUCCESSFUL ALLIED RAID A Cairo communique s.tates: “Dur ing j [ the night of 31st August our forces in j the northern sector made a successful 1 raid and took a number of German I ' prisoners. In the southern sector on j ? Ist September our forces, including * armoured units and artillery, fought , t throughout the day with enemy armour | • ed forces between Himeimat and, . Ruweisak AIR OPERATIONS During dusk and the night of 31st August bombers, assisted by naval air ' craft, successfully attacked targets in } the battle area and on landing grounds I between Mersa Matruh and El Daba. In spite of rising sand, air operations over the battle area were extensive yesterday. Our bombing was intensive ? and accurate. At least two Stuka for- • mations were attacked by our fighters ) and the enemy on many occasions was r forced to jettison his bombs. Six enemy r bombers and five fighters were destroyed and over a dozen were damaged. f Long-range bombers attacked a trans- . port on the coastal road.' -8.0. W.