BENGHAZI LOST?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1942, Page 3

BENGHAZI LOST?

REPORTED CAPTURE BY AXIS FORCES NO CONFIRMATION IN LONDON. ENEMY FORCES ENCOUNTERED NEARBY. LONDON, January 29. The capture of Benghazi is claimed in both German and Italian communiques. There is no confirmation of these reports in London. A Cairo communique reports that an. enemy column, with tanks, made contact with our advance troops south of Benghazi. Another enemy force is reported 15 miles east of Benghazi. The destruction of many enemy motor vehicles is reported as the result of air attack. At least 50 motor transport vehicles were shattered in one encounter. Bombers are continuing their attacks on the Axis supply communications. From all operations two of our aircraft are missing. CAIRO COMMUNIQUE ADVANCE FORCES IN CONTACT WITH ENEMY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.26 a.m.) RUGBY, January 29. A Cairo general headquarters communique states: “During the last 24 hours the enemy’s main forces in the Msus area have swung west and northwest. Enemy columns, which included tanks, made contact with our advanced troops to the south of Benghazi, while at the same time a strong enemy force succeeded in reaching Regima, some 16 miles due east of Benghazi. In the Msus area patrol activity on both sides has continued and several minor engagements took place. “Throughout the day our fighters and bombers again' supported our ground troops, with intensive attacks on enemy columns during which they destroyed a number of vehicles and damaged many others.