THROWN BACK IN CYRENAICA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1942, Page 3

THROWN BACK IN CYRENAICA

With Heavy Losses to Enemy TANK FIGHTING IN PROGRESS OVER WIDE AREA BRITISH POSITIONS REMAIN INTACT _ — * LONDON, May 28. In Libya, the tank battle which opened early yesterday went on all day at scattered points. One enemy force split into two columns, which, were engaged by our armament forces in no-man’s-land to the south of Tobruk. A frontal attack was thrown back with heavy losses to the enemy. Duiing the day a third enemy spearhead approached our positions south of Gazala. This force was repulsed with losses. Our positions remained intact. The 8.8.C.’s observer in Libya explains that there are a series of defensive chains running north to south from Gazala to the inland plateau. In the area, in front of the chain our motorised columns have been operating against the enemy for nearly four months. The enemy advanced in the south with strong tank and motorised columns and did what it was thought he would do—pushed round the south end of the defensive chains. Strong armoured forces were awaiting the attack and a non-stop tank fight developed. So far the enemy has sprung no surprise except that the Germans have given their advancing forces little air support. They may be holding their air force back for later operations. Attempts to pin our aircraft to the ground were unsuccessful. Our fighters and bombers have "been in action against enemy mechanised forces at various points and have made unceasing attacks on enemy lines of communication. Our fighters yesterday shot down at least nine enemy planes.