DOOMED HALFAYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1942, Page 3

DOOMED HALFAYA

SUBJECTED TO SMASHING BOMBARDMENT By Naval and Land Guns and Air Force ROMMEL’S TROOPS RESISTING ON ROAD TO EL AGHIELA MAY ATTEMPT TO MAKE ANOTHER STAND LONDON, .January 9. All day yesterday the Axis troops at Halfaya were bombarded by the Navy, by artillery and by the Air Force. Many hits were made on gun and defence positions and enemy transport suffered considerably. The position of the enemy troops at Halfaya is desperate. They are short of food, though the recent rain gave them much needed water. In Cairo it is felt that they will not be able to hold out much longer. Four hundred miles to the west General Rommel s foices are retreating to El Aghiela. Yesterday the enemy s rearguard resistance on both sides of the mam road to that place was stubborn and had stiffened. Progress by our forces was hindered by well-placed and carefully hidden minefields. It is thought that General Rommel may make a definite stand at British aircraft are playing a leading part in the operations, attacks being made on stores, dumps, motor traffic and shipping A squadron of Royal Australian Air Force fighters yesterday had a successful action against 50 enemy planes over the Jedabaya battle area. They shot down seven enemy planes for certain and in all probability destroyed at least three more. Another six were so badly damaged that it was not likely they would reach their base. Only one Australian pilot failed to return. This squadron has now bagged 200 enemy machines. The day and night aerial bombardment of Malta continues. Yesterday and the previous night the island was again raided. DSome damage was done. Anti-aircraft fire hit two of the raiders but it is not known if they crashed.