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EARLY DECISION

EXPECTED IN LIBYAN BATTLE WIDESPREAD R.A.F. ATTACKS. CLOSE & VIGOROUS SUPPORT OF GROUND FORCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, May 31. The tremendous strain of the Libyan battle cannot continue much longer, it is thought in informed quarters in London, where it is expected that a decision will be reached within 48 hours. The great heat to be endured by the tank crews is added to an almost complete lack of rest, either by day or night. A R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “On May 30, our machines were continuously and intensively engaged over the Cyrenaican battlefront. In spite of heavy opposition from the enemy’s air and ground forces, attacks were made by our bombers and fighters, in close support of our land forces, against enemy mechanised columns. These attacks were pressed home with great vigour and determination and large numbers of motor transport vehicles were destroyed or damaged. Great confusion was caused amchg enemy transports and several fires were started. Two enemy planes were shot down and others probably were destroyed. “On Friday night objectives at Tmimi and Benghazi were effectively bombed. Other attacks were made on Derna and Catania, three enemy fighters being shot down by our bombers during these attacks. “Enemy air activity over Malta has been on a reduced scale. “Fourteen of our aircraft are missing from all operations, . but three of the pilots are safe. Four pilots reported missing in operations on May 27 and 28 now have returned to their bases.” ENEMY LOSSES ESTIMATED AT LEAST 6GO VEHICLES. GROWING CONFIDENCE IN CAIRO. (Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. It is estimated in Cairo that at least 600 Axis vehicles have been destroyed in Cyrenaica as a result of the R.A.F. all-put blitz against enemy columns. Over 200 enemy vehicles were destroyed yesterday alone. The whole area over which the panzers drove forward around the Bir Hakheim pivot is strewn with burntout tanks and trucks. The R.A.F. losses naturally have been heavy, while comparatively few Axis planes have been shot down, but the policy of ceaseless attack may decisively influance the enemy plans and it is already felt that it is justified. The whole Afrika Corps, with the exception of a few units of the Ninetieth Light Division, is now engaged eastward of the Allied forward line from El Gazala to Bir Hakheim. There was restrained optimism in Cairo tonight as the battle reached its climax. The Axis armoured forces are doing their utmost to exploit two gaps they have punched in the centre of the great minefield around the Allied forward positions. They are now trying to push vital supplies through the gaps to their formations around Knightsbridge, in face of shattering artillery fire from British 25-pounders : which again are proving to be the best field artillery weapon. A British United Press correspondent says confidence in the outcome of the battle at Knightsbridge is growing hourly. Tank columns which Rommel sent against our rear at El Gazala and into the Acroma-El Adem sector of the,road the Germans built around Tobruk have both been beaten back to the main positions at Knightsbridge. ITALIANS WELL BEATEN IN ATTACK NEAR GAZALA. ADDITIONS TO HAUL OF PRISONERS. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON May 31. - A British United Press correspondent states that General Rommel ordered an Italian infantry division to attack the northern sector of the British line, near El Gazala. The Italians, using a new type of armoured car, went in with vim, but came out with greater vigour, British troops chasing them closely -behind hundreds of Germans taken prisoner. A majority lie exhausted, with their shirts off, and their eyes half-closed and all the fight gone out of them. General Rommel still has supplies to last him until Monday. He may unleash another big attack in order to save the reputation of the Afrika Corps. Though the Axis tank strength seems to be equal, and the strategic position ,in our favour, we have apparently outgeneralled and out-fought the Germans in a pretty decisive manner. A message from Cairo tonight stated that fighting is going oh with the same intensity southward of Acroma.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19420601.2.42

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1942, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
693

EARLY DECISION Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1942, Page 4

EARLY DECISION Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1942, Page 4

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