MORE ACTIVITY IN DESERT

Southland Times, Issue 24820, 12 August 1942, Page 5

MORE ACTIVITY IN DESERT

Renewal Of Fighting Predicted (Rec. 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. The lull in the land fighting in Egypt continues, but increased artillery activity points to a renewal of large scale action. The air war has livened up. Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel has thrown in fresh fighter reinforcements and the Royal Air Force has countered with a non-stop day and night offensive against advanced Axis aerodromes. American armoured units assigned to various British reserve regiments are ready to go in when the gong sounds lor the next round. The Cairo correspondent of The Daily Express says- Field-Marshal Rommel has been using the period of watchful waiting to strengthen his defences and acclimatize his reinforcements. The Africa Corps is particularly short of infantry and the Italians are being reinforced with convicts reprieved on condition that they fi|ht in Africa. General Charles de Gaulle reviewed a Fighting French force at desert headquarters and decorated the officers and men who held up Field-Marshal Rommel’s push at Bit Hacheim, The march past, which was most impressive, included tanks and armoured cars. AIR-FIELDS ATTACKED

Air activity over the Egyptian battle area yesterday is described by the Royal Air Force Middle East News Service as considerable. United Kingdom and South African fighters effectively attacked two advanced landing grounds used by the enemy and many damaging near misses were observed among aircraft and motor transport. United States bombers carried out a daylight attack on Benghazi, scoring a direct hit on a ship moored at the central mole. Other ships, probably damaged by bomb bursts, were seen along the moles. Off Bardia Royal Air Force aircraft again attacked east-bound lighters. One lighter was hit three times and an explosion occurred on board. Advanced enemy landing grounds were bombed by naval and other aircraft on Sunday night. Further strong forces of bombers operated against Tobruk, explosions and fires being caused among dripping and along the jetties and the waterfront. Anti-aircraft gun positions were also silenced. From all these operations two Royal Air Force planes are missing. It is now known that a Messerschmitt claimed to have been damaged in the battle area on Sunday was destroyed. The pills the Nazis claim give pep to panzer troops which .were taken from captured Germans in the Middle East have been analysed in London. They were found to consist of low grade sugar unequal to the boiled sweets which form part of the British troops’ daily ration.