EARLIER NEWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1942, Page 3

EARLIER NEWS

PREPARATIONS FOR ALbOUT BID AXIS ANTICIPATIONS. HOPES OF HOISTING SWASTIKA OVER ALEXANDRIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 21. The latest report of the disposition of the Axis forces in Libya shows that Rommel withdrew the majority of his forces to the El Duda-El Hamed-Sidi Rezejti triangle. Italians were brought up tijsositions in the Acroma area and witf; the Ariete divisions southward of El Adem, the indications bear out the belief that the enemy is establishing himself round the Tobruk perimeter in preparation for an all-out bid. It is estimated that between 200 and 300 Axis tanks were destroyed during the offensive, not including those damaged. It is considered possible that Rommel may be able to repair the captured General Grant tanks and adapt his 75-millimetre ammunition for use in them. A Zurich message states that military experts in Berlin emphasise that Rommel has concluded the first phase of his offensive and has now entered the second phase—the battle of Egypt. The extent to which reinforcements had recently been sent to Libya, plus the valuable experience obtained during the first phase, allowed the forecast, according to Berlin, that the Afrika Corps would shortly hoist the swastika over Alexandria. FUTURE OF TANK DOUBTED BY SOME BRITISH OFFICERS. ON ACCOUNT OF SUPERIORITY OF ANTI-TANK GUN. LONDON, June 20. The Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that many of our tank officers are reported to be doubtful whether the tank has much of a future because of the superiority of the anti-tank gun over the tank. The tank is excellent for smashing into and terrorising infantry, but is heldom effective if the infantry has good anti-tank gun protection. The German 88 millimetres anti-tank guns effectively knocked out the General Grant tanks, which were unable to get within range with their 75’s. No German tanks captured have been equipped with refrigerators, but some had fans. MANY AIR ATTACKS , ON ENEMY POSITIONS. IN LIBYA & CRETE. (British Official Wireless.) . (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) Y RUGBY, June 21. A R.A.F. Middle East communique reports bomber and fighter attacks on enemy positions near Tobruk. Bomb; ing raids were also made on Benghazi harbour, the Tmimi aerodrome and targets in Crete. None of the R.A.F. aircraft are missing. AN AMERICAN VIEW “TOBRUK NOW OUR OUTPOST.” NEW YORK, June 19. The “New York Times” in a leader on the Libyan battle, points out that while Tobruk is again facing siege, some decisive change has taken place in the desert warfare which gives point to Mr H. L. Stimson’s recent statement that American troops are undergoing intensive training in desert

fighting. America realises that Tobruk means much more than a spot in the African desert, and therefore “American boys are being hardened for desert war, because Tobruk is now our outpost and our battle.” The United Press says that the State Department has advised American civilians in Egypt to evacuate as rapidly as possible.