HELD FIRMLY
REMAINS OF THREE TANK DIVISIONS VAIN ATTEMPTS TO BREAK OUT. ENEMY COMMUNICATIONS CUT SOUTH OF BENGHAZI. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.23 a.m.) RUGBY, November 30. An authoritative view in London is that the stubborn and confused battle in Oyrenaica is crystallising. The remains of three Axis armoured divisions are concentrated in one force, which is fighting fiercely and so far unsuccessfully to break out of the line of Imperial troops closing in from the east, south and west. Meanwhile, British patrols have cut the coast road south of Benghazi.
A Cairo communique states: “After a temporary . lull yesterday morning, in which full advantage was taken of the position to, improve communications between our forces in contact with the defenders of Tobruk, an intense battle again developed shortly after midday. The remaining tank strength of two . German armoured divisions, with an Italian armoured division in support, made a further attempt to break westward through the defended localities held by British and New Zealand troops in the area about Sidi Rezegh and Bir El Hamed (about five, miles north of Sidi Rezegh). British armoured forces coun-ter-attacked the German left flank and again the battle was brought to a standstill. At dusk fierce fighting was continuing.
“Amongst the prisoners captured in the present phase of operations is the general officer commanding the 21st Panzei’ Division, together with ten other. officers and 600 Germans of other ranks.
“Meanwhile British columns brought north-west from Egyptian frontier areas successfully engaged the rear of the German attack, while further British and South African mechanised columns are clearing the country in all directions between the scene of the main battle and the Egyptian frontier. “In support of the ground troops, our air forces again persistently and successfully attacked enemy concentrations in the area between El Adem and Sidi Rezegh. A number of other important targets were effectively bombed.
“While the main battle was proceeding, mechanised British patrols succeeded in penetrating to the Cyrenaican coast, between Jedabaya and Benghazi, where they intercepted and destroyed enemy mechanised transport vehicles.”
The captured German divisional commander is believed to be von Ravenstin, who commanded the regiment which played an important part in the crossing of the Meuse in May, 1941. In June, 1941, he was reported as commanding a light armoured panzer division in North Africa and this later was converted into the 21st Division.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1941, Page 5
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397HELD FIRMLY Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1941, Page 5
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