VIGOROUS ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1942, Page 3

VIGOROUS ATTACKS

MADE BY INDIAN UNITS ON ONE OF ROMMEL'S COLUMNS. DISPOSITIONS OF OPPOSING FORCES. (By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 26. The British United Press correspondent with the Eighth Army, in a despatch dated June 25, says: “Indian formations vigorously attacked and dispersed General Rommel’s third column advancing into Egypt. The largest German column was last reported as driving in an arrowhead formation along the railway line from Sidi Barrani. Another column, consisting mostly of armoured cars, motor-cyclists and some motorised infantry, engaged British units to the west of Mersa Matruh. R.A.F. pilots describe how General Rommel’s forces are moving. They have spread out considerably, with tanks and armoured cars leading at the top of an arrowhead formation, and with tanks, armoured cars and antiaircraft batteries protecting the flanks and the following units. Supplies, in box formation, follow the main forces, protected by strong fighting columns on the flanks and rear. The speed of the Axis advance is due to night marches. Large British forces are organising defences eastwards of Mersa Matruh. They constitute our main forward defence position on the coast. Our main mobile units and armoured units are somewhere to the south.”