OFFICIAL REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 5

OFFICIAL REPORT

GOOD PROGRESS MADE IN OFFENSIVE

GAINS AT MANY POINTS.

OUTFLANKING SWEEP MADE BY BRITISH TANKS.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY, December 16.

A Cairo headquarters communique states: “In the general area south-west and west of Gazala, our troops yesterday continued their steady advance in face of resolute oposition and repeated counter-attacks by German and Italian infantry, tanks and air forces. About Alem Jamza, some 15 miles south-west cf Gazala, British and Indian troops attacked a defensive position held by strong elements of one German and three Italian divisions, supported by all the remaining German tank strength. After heavy fighting, during which the centre of the enemy position was penetrated in spite of two determined counter-attacks by German motorised infantry and tanks, progiess was made. The enemy supported their counter-attacks with their maximum available force of dive-bombers and other forms of air attack, but our air forces effectively countered these activities. “Still further south-west and west, our armoured forces simultaneously carried''out a wide outflanking movement. By yesterday evening they had reached El Olebam, some 30 miles west of Gazala, from which area they were continuing their thrust against the enemy reserves and rear. “During the day, our armoured forces not only inflicted many casualties, but also destroyed 300 tons of enemy ammunition. In the Gazala area itself, operations continued against strong forces of the enemy entrenched between the sea and the escarpment. Here, also, satisfactory progress was made, in face of resistance, at little cost to ourselves. Up to yesterday the New Zealand troops engaged in this operation had captured a number of 76 millimetre Breda guns, many heavy machine-guns, ammuni-

tion and 1100 prisoners. They also shot down two enemy aircraft. “Meanwhile an enemy strong point south-west of Gazala was attacked and captured by Polish troops. Some 200 additional prisoners were taken in this area.

“In the frontier area, South African troops continued their offensive operations against German and Italian detachments now isolated at Bardia and Halfaya. During the day one more enemy strong point was captured in the latter area.

I “During yesterday’s heavy fighting, cur air forces, operating over the whole forward area, rendered invaluable assistance in limiting the degree of enemy air interference with our ground troops. Enemy motorised transport columns on the roads about Tmimi and Derna were also heavily attacked, with good results. Further west, our air forces destroyed and damaged many lorries in a column carrying troops.”