NAZI ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1941, Page 5

NAZI ATTACK

EXPECTED AT TOBRUK 'WAR MATERIAL SNEAKED IN. DESPITE SINKING OF SUPPLY SHIPS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, October 14. There are clear signs that the German commander in North Africa, General Rommel, is preparing a big attack against Tobruk, says the “Daily Express” Cairo correspondent. He has brought up heavier guns and more tanks and troops

are getting into place. We are sinking many supply ships in the Mediterranean, but scarcely a night passes without the Axis sneaking something to Africa. One of the best of their fighting vehicles recently captured is a tractor-borne wagon mounting a machine-gun. It draws light artillery and packs a large quantity of ammunition, stores and water. Armoured cars are also arriving, but the British experts are not impressed with them.

Large quantities of British supplies are also arriving in the Middle East. Indeed they are being landed faster than they can be handled. The building of docks, jetties and railways has been pushed on throughout the summer and the native labourers have gradually been disciplined into a labour corps working a 24-hours’ programme.

Fifty American ships have been unloaded since the first of them steamed in three months ago with its decks packed with planes. American supplies are of three chief kinds, namely motorvehicles, fast well-armed tanks and planes, which have come in a big inrush. Many thousands 'of motor-ve-hicles have arrived. They are packed to permit of their being fitted on wheels in a few minutes, after which they are driven from the docks. The new tanks, which are better armed than the comparable German type, are in sufficient'numbers for several armoured units. Britons have been training in them for three months.

The latest reports from the Middle East state that at Tobruk there has been an engagement between British and enemy tanks lasting four hours, with the opposing tanks at times within fifty yards of each other. Observation of the damage and casualties inflicted on the enemy was impossible because of the poor visibility. On the evening, of October 12, nine enemy tanks came within fifty yards of British observation posts, but the standing patrol there held fast. TANK PATROLS ENEMY MACHINES EVADE PURSUIT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) - RUGBY, October 15. Active enemy tank patrols were reported on the El Adem sector of the Tobruk front during the. night of October 12. British tanks were unable to make contact'.