FURTHER RETREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1942, Page 3

FURTHER RETREAT

MADE BY INDIAN DIVISION IN LIBYA STEADY TOLL BEING TAKEN OF ENEMY. BRITISH FORCES IN RESERVE. LONDON, February 3. In Libya, the Fourth Indian Division continues its withdrawal in the Jebel Akdar area under pressure from strong enemy forces which apparently have been strengthened. An observer describes the withdrawal as a harrying , action, in which losses are being inflicted on the enemy. The Indian division meantime bearing the brunt of the enemy attack is backed by other seasoned divisions, including a Guards division. Our air forces continue their offensive over the whole front and behind the enemy lines. General Rommel’s advance through the hilly country of Jebel Akdar, another message states, appears to have been slowed up by the tactics of the 4th Indian Division which is fighting rearguard actions at selected points. A Cairo communique says that northeast of Msus the British are using flying columns to hamper Axis formations. These columns, consisting of tanks, armoured cars and mobile infantry, dart in and around the enemy, keeping him on the alert and harassing him incessantly. FIGHT OR WITHDRAW GENERAL AUCHINLECK’S ALTERNATIVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 3. The military correspondent of “The Times,” referring to Cyrenaica, says General Auchinleck must either counter-attack against Rommel or withdraw further. There is no prospect of making a stand in the present position. PERSISTENT ATTACKS MADE BY IMPERIAL AIR FORCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, February 3. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “In spite of unfavourable weather, fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. and South African Air Force were active in the battle area of Western Cyrenaica during Monday. It is now known that on Sunday enemy motorised units and fuel-carrying tansport were effectively attacked with machine-guns and cannon fire, on the roads between Sirte and Ras El Aali, in Tripolitania, as well as in the Maraua area of Cyrenaica. Casualties were inflicted on

enemy personnel and a number of vehicles and fuel-carriers were destroyed, set on. fire or badly damaged. “Bomber aircraft again attacked enemy motor transport in the Jedabaya and Mersa Brega areas, which were raided by our bombers during the night. Results could not be observed. “From these operations all our aircraft returned safely.” DESERT FIGHTING BRITISH MOBILE COLUMNS ACTIVE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, February 3. A Cairo communique states: “In the desert area, north-east of Msus, our mobile columns continued their offensive activities over the whole front, engaging the enemy wherever he was found. In the Jebel Akdar area our Fourth Indian Division is continuing its withdrawal under continuous pressure from the enemy, who apparently have been reinforced. Our air forces, and particularly our fighter patrols, gave close and effective support throughout the day to the Fourth Indian Division and to our mobile columns.” '