BY BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1942, Page 3

BY BRITISH AND ALLIED FORCES IN LIBYA

Positions on Frontier Escarpment GARRISOFt HOLDING TOBRUK MOBILE UNITS HARRYING ENEMY IN DESERT LONDON, June 19. - An observer in Libya gives a clearer picture of what is happening in the desert. The Eighth Army, he states, has now divided into three important groups. The main force has taken up positions on the Egyptian frontier. Another strong force occupies Tobruk and other units are harassing the enemy in the desert to the south. It is incorrect, the observer adds, to call Tobruk besieged. Although the enemy has appeared on the coast road east of the fortress, his forces do not appear to be there in any strength. Tobruk has not yet been attacked, though our troops in the area were engaged yesterday. The enemy obviously hoped to find our forces disorganised after their rapid movement to Tobruk, but they were able to hit back, Seven enemy tanks were destroyed or damaged. Axis forces have not yet appeared on the Egyptian frontier in any strength. A skirmish between General Ritchie s rearguard and Axis advance units occurred at Gambut, 20 miles from the frontier. The British now hold positions similar to those before the offensive last November, though this time we hold positions on the escarpment instead of below it.