ANOTHER HEAVY BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1942, Page 3

ANOTHER HEAVY BLOW

MERSA MATRUH LOST TO AXIS FORCES

BAD NEWS CONFIRMED

CAIRO REPORTS BRITISH AND ALLIED WITHDRAWAL Capture of Prisoners Claimed by German < High Command RETIRING ARMY SAID TO BE HARD PRESSED NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE NOW ENGAGED IN BATTLE LONDON, June 29. A message from Cairo confirms an Axis report that the British and Allied forces have evacuated Mersa Matruh. Though it was naturally hoped, the message states, that Mersa Matruh would be held, it was never intended to risk having forces cut off there. Members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force are taking part in the present battle. The Associated Press states that more American airmen and planes have just arrived in the Middle East. 1 . The capture of Mersa Matruh was claimed by the Axis this morning. The German High Command states that prisoners were taken and that the British forces withdrawing eastward are hard pressed. . A Cairo communique, reporting on yesterday’s fighting, said, heavy engag’ements took place between mobile and armoured forces over a very large area near Mersa Matruh. The fighting was very fluid and fast moving. British, South African and Allied planes are going all out against enemy ground forces and lines of communication. Last night, between Solium and Mersa Matruh, large fires showed where bombers had struck. Four enemy bombers were shot down. Eight Allied planes are missing. Axis aircraft appeared over Alexandria early this morning but did little damage.