SIGNS IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 3

SIGNS IN LIBYA

OF ENEMY PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK j.-,. ... -. .... ROMMEL MOVING UP FORCES. AIR ACTIVITY INTENSIFIED. LONDON, February 23. There are signs in Libya that Rommel is preparing for heavy fighting along the line he has now held for some time. Axis troops are reported to be moving up. No major development has yet taken place, but there has been increased enemy resistance to our patrols, and increased enemy air activity in the forward areas. Our ground forces continue to receive air support, and our planes have made a number of sweeps. Enemy positions in the rear have been bombed. Two enemy bombers were destroyed. An enemy tanker was successfully attacked by naval aircraft in the central Mediterranean on Saturday night. A direct hit with a torpedo was followed by a large flash. Two of our aircraft are missing from operations in the Middle East. ATTACKS ON MALTA SOME DAMAGE BUT FEW CASUALTIES. ENEMY PLANE SHOT DOWN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, February 23. A Cairo communique states: “During yesterday and on Saturday night, enemy aircraft carried out a series of sustained attacks on Malta. Some damage was done but the number of casualties was small. Our fighters intercepted the raiding forces and shot down a Messerschmitt 109. Other Junkers 88s and Messerschmitt 109 s were so severely damaged that they are unlikely to have reached their bases.”