ATTACK ON GAZALA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 6

ATTACK ON GAZALA

HEAVY CAPTURES MADE BY NEW ZEALANDERS

AXIS FORCE ENCLOSED. ARMOURED BATTLE FURTHER WEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service). CAIRO, December 16. New Zealand troops continue to invest the enemy strongpoint of Gazala, where a mixed German and Italian force is strongly entrenched. During the last few days the New Zealanders have captured much equipment and arms and large numbers of prisoners. The battle at present is mainly one of artillery and the New Zealand casualties are light. Meanwhile other battles are in progress, with armoured forces engaged, westwards of Gazala. The position of the Gazala forces appears to be hopeless unless an attempt is made to reinforce them by sea or air, which seems impossible. It is improbable that an attempt will be made to relieve them by the main German forces, which are contained about fifteen miles to the west, at Alem Hanza. An armoured battle is developing thirty miles west of Gazala.

AIR ACTIVITY

IN SPITE OF DUST STORM.

R.A.F. BUSY IN LIBYA.

(Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) RUGBY, December 16.

A R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “Dust storms seriously curtailed activity in Libya yesterday. However, our fighter aircraft were active over the Gazala, Tmimi, Gadd and El Ahmal zones and machine-gun attacks were made on motor transport on the Gemenes to El Agheila Road. “During the night of December _ 14. R.A.F. bombers successfully raided harbour installations at Benghazi. Direct hits were obtained on. wharves and buildings near the quayside. All our aircraft returned safely.”

AMERICAN MATERIAL

SUPPLIES WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

(Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) CAIRO, December 16

General Maxwell, head of the United States Military Mission, said supplies of American equipment for North Africa were so far ahead of schedule that a decline was not expected owing to the Far East. The arrival of United States material was only limited by available shipping.