MOVE BY ROMMEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1942, Page 3

MOVE BY ROMMEL

RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE MADE WITH REMAINING TANKS. BRITISH LIGHT FORCES INFLICT CASUALTIES. LONDON, January 22. In Libya General Rommel yesterday mustered his remaining tanks in a reconnaissance force east of El Agheila. It is believed to have been an attempt to test our strength. A Cairo communique states that fairly strong Axis forces jpenetrated some 20 miles eastward along the coast. Our light forces kept in contact and inflicted casualties on the enemy. In London, it is pointed out that there was nothing to suggest that the reconnaissance made by General Rommel’s forces was anything in the way of a counter-offensive. No reinforcements are known to have reached General Rommel's forces, but it is realised that some may have slipped across the Mediterranean. Our Air Force has resumed its attacks on the Axis rear, with raids on Tripoli and on targets in Crete, Greece and elsewhere.

A Malta communique states that four enemy bombers and two fighters were severely damaged during raids over the island today. Four alerts were sounded. Bombs were dropped without causing damage or casualties. CONTACT MAINTAINED BRITISH LIGHT FORCES WITHDRAW. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, January 22. A Cairo communique states: “In bad visibility yesterday, the enemy in three strong columns, with the bulk of the remaining Axis tanks disposed amonj* them, made a reconnaissance in force to a depth of about ten miles east of the general line running south of Mersa Brega. Our light forces which have been harassing the enemy since his retirement from Jedabaya, withdrew, maintaining contact with the enemy throughout the day, inflicting casualties. “The activities of our air forces are being seriously handicapped by bad weather.”