FURTHER GAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1941, Page 5

FURTHER GAINS

MADE BY BRITISH TROOPS IN LIBYA EL ADEM AND GAMBUT TAKEN. LINK WITH TOBRUK FORCES RE-ESTABLISHED. LONDON, December 10. In Libya, El Adem, 20 miles south-east of Tobruk has been recaptured and the link-up with the Tobruk forces reestablished. A column working to the south-west kept up pressure all day on enemy positions. Many casualties were inflicted and a number of prisoners taken. An infantry company near El Adem was driven westward with heavy loss. A South 1 African armoured column and other mobile forces are working round the enemy’s rear, 13 miles west of Tobruk. Mopping-up operations along the Bardia coastal road are continuing. It is confirmed that British forces have occupied the important enemy base and supply centre at Gambut. Twentyseven abandoned tanks were found here.

DEVELOPING WELL

SITUATION IN NORTH AFRICA. ' WIDE AREA NOW CLEARED OF ENEMY. (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) RUGBY, December 10. The situation in North Africa continues to develop favourably and the recapture of El Adem, south of Tobruk, is announced officially in London. This means that the junction with the British forces in the Tobruk perimeter, which was re-established a few days ago, is consolidated. Meanwhile mobile British forces continue to operate round the enemy’s southern flank and to push out westwards towards his communications. There is now no organised resistance east of Tobruk except at the three remaining isolated points of Bardia, Halfaya and Ghirba, on the frontier, which are not being assaulted fiercely in order not to waste lives. Mopping up of small fugitive parties continues between the frontier and Tobruk.