Renewed effort foretells breaking of lull.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1942, Page 4

Renewed effort foretells breaking of lull.

London, Aug. 26. Messages from Cairo in the past 24 hours indicate the ending of the lull and. as Mr. Churchill told officers and men of the Royal West Kents on his recent visit to the El Alamein scene of operations, "great events are afoot." Whether General Sir Harold Alexander or Field-Marshal Rommel would make the first move none could foretell, but undoubtedly the moment was rapidly approaching. Besides increasing Royal Air Fprce activity in the last few days the Luftwaffe, which has been suspiciously quiet recently, also renewed its efforts. Both sides therefore are evidently expecting a speedy move from the other and are preparing accordingly. It is felt both at Cairo and London that when the real struggle does start the newly-acquired supplies both of manpower and material will be the dominating factor and the army which has been best able to employ the lull in refitment and replenishment will begin with a definite advantage. At first sight it would appear that General Alexander has been handlcappea in this race by Rommel's shorter supply roubes, but unceasing attacks by the R.A.F. on Benghazi and other ports and the toll taken of German shipping in the Mediterrar.ean, as well as calls from the Russian front, have had a considerable effect on Rommel's reinforcements. As regards General Alexander, it is known that replacements of men, guns, tanks and planes have been rushed to help the Eighth Army at an astonlshing speed in the past six weeks, and to-day that army is again strong and well equipped. Striking Point. The main question arises, where Rommel will strike. Should he seize the initiative some opinion is inclined to the view that he will attack in the northern sector with the idea of the rapid capture of Alexandria, but the idea has also gained ground tfiat he might make an attempt on the edge of the Quattara Depression, where the terrain offers good going. Whichever course he may take General Alexander will need all his tactical powers and iron determination, but there .is no doubt that every eventuality has been adequately taken into account. Air activity over the El Alamein 'battlefront from August 22 to August 25 has shown a gradual increase, culminating on Tuesday lh an attack by fighters and fighter bombers on suspected headquarters and on transport vehicles in the southern sector, says the Air Ministry news service. Light bombers also operated effectively on the same area and further west long-range fighters attacked eastbound road transport, Inflicting considerable casualties. During the past few days heavy bombers have consistently raided Tobruk, scoring direct hits on shipping and causing explosions and fires. In Mediterranean raids on enemy convoys our torpedo-bombers scored a probable hit on a tanker in the Ioniaii Sea and also possibles on a merchantman and a destroyer. A Cairo communique states: "Our patrol activity was continued during the night of August 24 and 25. Enemy patrols and working parties were engaged and harassed in the central sector. Our light bombers, fighters and fighter-bombers were active in the forward area. Direct hits were scored on enemy transport. Our long-range fighters attacked enemy east-bound transport vehicles on the Sollum-Matruh road and inflicted casualties."