BATTLE OF SUPPLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 February 1942, Page 3

BATTLE OF SUPPLIES

BEING FOUGHT IN LIBYA AIR AND LAND ACTIONS. ATTACKS ON ENEMY BASES. LONDON, February 13. In Libya continued patrol activity is reported. An agency correspondent says that the patrolling is not on a minor scale. A considerable battle is being waged. It is a battle of supply. The question of supply dominates the Libyan battlefield. In an air battle three Junkers bombers and an Italian bomber were shot down. Two of our fighters are missing. Elsewhere in Libya one of our planes shot the tail off a Heinkel. Tripoli and an enemy base in Sicily were among the targets attacked by our bombers. Four of our planes are missing from the latest operations. BRITISH WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT END AT GAZALA. LONDON, February 12. Though we have held our positions at Gazala in Libya for a week, it is thought too early to suppose that this necessarily means the end of the withdrawal. It is not easy to regard Gazala as a permanent resting-place unless Rommel is disinclined to push his advance farther. Gazala, like any position between El Agheila and the Egyptian frontier, is susceptible to a turning movement from the south. Our ability to hold on must greatly depend on the strength of our mobile forces on our flank astride the Capuzzo road and covering Bir Hacheim. At least in the last few days our offensive patrols have held the initiative. They are forming a forward covering screen toward the Tmimi.Mekili-Tegender area which should at least forewarn of an impending assault and take the first shock of it. AIR ACTIVITIES ATTEMPTED RAID ON TOBRUK REPELLED. MORE BRITISH SUCCESSES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, February 13. A R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “An attempt by a large formation of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, to raid Tobruk Harbour was prevented by our fighters yesterday. Our aircraft engaged the enemy before they had reached their targets. In the ensuing combat three Junkers 88s and one Macchi C 200 were shot down and several other enemy bombers and fighters were severely damaged. Two of our fighters were lost, but the pilot of one is safe. In the Matruh area, a Heinkel 111 was intercepted by our fighters and its tail shot off. The enemy aircraft dived through clouds and was lost from view, but it is presumed to have been completely destroyed. “On Wednesday night our bombers attacked landing grounds at Martuba, but the full effect of the bombing could not be observed. “On the same night the harbour area of Tripoli was raided and large fires were started. The aerodrome at Catania (Sicily) was also attacked. “The enemy continued to raid Malta during Wednesday night and also on the following day. Some damage and casualties are reported. Our fighters were able to intercept the enemy and one Junkers 88 was shot down into the sea. Other enemy aircraft were probably destroyed. “From all these operations four oi cur planes are missing.”