LAUNCHED BY NAZIS IN DESERT BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1942, Page 3

LAUNCHED BY NAZIS IN DESERT BATTLE

Behind Allied Southern Flank MAY BE ATTEMPT TO COVER WITHDRAWAL AFRIKA CORPS FIGHTING FOR LIFE LONDON, June 2. Rommel and his Afrika Corps, fighting for their lives as never before, are reported to have made a new thrust eastwards behind the Allied line, between the track junction of Knightsbridge, with Tobruk and Bir Hakheim. Reuter’s correspondent says this new move is being carried out by a considerable Axis force of all types of arms. The brunt of the drive is being borne by a British infantry brigade. Fighting is particularly fierce. The enemy may be merely staging an offensive rearguard action to cover the withdrawal of mechanised forces. Another reason might be to upset an Allied counter-offensive. The pre,'sent drive is at least of sufficient strength to make it a nuisance until it can be finally liquidated. The battle is by no means over. ENEMY MECHANISED LOSSES It is estimated that the R.A.F. so far has accounted for 1,000 enemy supply vehicles. Mr Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons, said the number of enemy tanks destroyed or captured was conservatively estimated at 260, This statement was based on a message received from General Auchinleck, who said the enemy had succeeded in withdrawing many of his tanks and much of his transport through one of the, two gaps in the minefield. A large number of tanks and transport vehicles still remained on the wrong side of the barrier and these were being ceaselessly harried and destroyed by our troops and the R.A.F.