8TH ARMY ADVANCES IN DESERT

Southland Times, Issue 24890, 2 November 1942, Page 5

8TH ARMY ADVANCES IN DESERT

AXIS COUNTER-ATTACKS BEATEN OFF (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 1. The Bth Army has made a further advance in its offensive against Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel s Axis army in the Western Desert. This was announced in the mid-day communique from Cairo, which also stated that the Allied air forces were continuing to pound the enemy. “During Friday night our forces made a further advance and a number of prisoners was taken,” states the communique. “Enemy counter-attacks were beaten off with loss. Our heavy and medium bombers assisted by naval aircraft, attacked targets in Crete and the battle area and forward landing grounds. A suspected panzer headquarters was shot up by our fighters and heavy damage was done. An encampment at Mersa Matruh was raided and casualties were inflicted on enemy troops in the dock area. Our planes also shot up the road between Solium and Sidi Barrani, wrecking vehicles. Enemy raids were successfully intercepted. Thirteen enemy planes were shot down and more were damaged. Five of our planes are missing.” The Rome radio says bitter fighting is going on on the Egyptian front with the odds all in favour of the British.