OUTLOOK IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1941, Page 6

OUTLOOK IN LIBYA

NEW ZEALANDERS ENGAGED IN STERN BATTLE

Preparations for Westward Thrust FACTOR OF SUPPLY VITAL ENEMY ATTACKS ON BRITISH COMMUNICATIONS NEGLIGIBLE (By Telegraph — Press association— Copyright.) . (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 30. The New Zealanders ch the “Tobruk bridge’’ are fighting a stern battle against the Axis forces westward, with the intention of launching a massed assault on them, says “The Times’’ Cairo correspondent. The Germans in Libya are no_w & fighting with their backs to the wall—fighting courageously and fiercely, but at the most with the hope of staving off utter defeat. The Italians, when free from German domination, fight without conviction. The main action seems to be approaching its climax and end, but it continues to be a bloody fight and both English and German casualties are much above those of last year. Supplies, after twelve days’ fighting, are playing a vital part. Our troops are 500 miles from Cairo. The enemy is 300 miles from Benghazi and 1000 miles from Tripoli, ' and Benghazi is believed to be no good for disembarking supplies. Axis air action against the British lines of communication is negligible, but the R.A.F. has constantly and severely damaged enemy supply bases, transport on land and convoys at sea. The extent of Axis desert depots is unknown, but one of the main depots, namely Gambut, was early in our hands and another, Collum, was useless from the beginning.