FURTHER SUCCESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1941, Page 5

FURTHER SUCCESS

SCORED BY BRITISH FORCES IN LIBYA Rommel Loses Another 42 Tanks VAIN ATTEMPT TO BREAK THROUGH TO WEST OUR AIRCRAFT ACTIVE ALL ALONG FRONT LONDON, December 30. Another success in Libya has brought our forces a stage nearer to the achievement of their aim—the destruction of the enemy armoured forces. A Cairo communique reports that the enemy lost over 40 of his remaining tanks in battle yesterday, 22 being destroyed and 20 seriously damaged. The engagement occurred when an enemy column endeavoured to interfere with our forces south of Jedabaya. The communique also reports the capture of five lorry-loads of German infantry. An enemy outpost and ammunition dump were destroyed by our artillery fire. It is believed in London that General Rommel is still held and has been unable to break through to the west. The enemy losses are believed to have been incurred while our forces were manoeuvring for position. Tire main body of Rommel’s forces is now jammed between the sea and the low hills east of Jedabaya. \ Our aircraft have been active all along the front. Direct hits were scored on buildings and huts in the Jedabaya area and on lorries packed with German troops. Further attacks have also been made on objectives within the Bardia defences. Raids were made on Greece and Crete on Sunday night. From all these operations four of pur aircraft are missing, but the pilot of one is known to be safe. The three aerodromes at Benghazi were found to be littered with over 200 aircraft. Some of them will be serviceable.