TURN OF THE INFANTRY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1941, Page 5

TURN OF THE INFANTRY

In Great Libyan Battle FIERCE HAND TO HAND FIGHTING SOUTH-EAST OF TOBRUK

ENEMY SUPPLY BASE GAMBUT TAKEN BY NEW ZEALANDERS Tobruk Garrison Consolidates Gains AIR FORCE GIVING GERMANS NO REST SUSTAINED ATTACKS ON COMMUNICATIONS AND BASES LONDON, November 24. A new phase is developing in the great Libyan battle. Infantry forces are reported to be engaged in fierce hand-to-hand fighting in the Sidi Rezegh area, as the number of tanks has been reduced ( by casualties. The main fighting is still south-east of Tobruk. The New Zealanders are reported to have captured the important enemy supply base of Gambut. The Tobruk garrison has consolidated its gains. A bigger and bigger part is being played by the Air Force, in attacks on enemy transport, troops and supply depots. Eighteen enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of 13 of our machines. The Germans are reported to be rushing up fresh supplies and reinforcements by air. A military spokesman in Cairo said it was impossible at the moment to obtain a clear picture of events on the fiftymile front in Libya, where the situation was changing from hour to hour. Apparently, however, the German commander, General Rommel, either from considerations of prestige or under pressure from Berlin, was not attempting to withdraw his troops, which, in any case, would be a difficult and perhaps an impossible operation. The battle had already reached the stage where infantry,, armed of course with Bren guns, were taking their part. It was possible that there had already been bayonet charges. The shape of the battle was changing from hour to hour. It was not known yet how much of the supplies accumulated by the enemy at Gambut had been captured by the New Zealanders, but since we controlled the road leadingout of Gambut these dumps would not be of any further use to the enemy. Our own supply system was working well on all parts of the front, though it had to be remembered that we had to bring up our supplies, while those of the enemy were on the ground.