EARLIER REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1942, Page 3

EARLIER REPORTS

STRENGTH OF THE AXIS FORCES AT LEAST FIVE DIVISIONS IN EGYPT. OPEN & HEAVY FIGHTING. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 29. Today’s communique issued by the general headquarters ai: Cairo states: “Heavy fighting between mobile and armoured forces continued yesterday to the south-west and south-east of Mersa Matruh. The fighting covered a very large area. No details are available.” Front-line dispatches indicate that the Axis now has at least five divisions at its disposal in Egypt. It is reported from Ankara that one Italian and two German motorised divisions are being moved from Crete to Tobruk in a constant stream. Small craft and lighters have been brought to Tobruk and Sidi Barrani for landing supplies, and water-barges also have been taken to Tobruk. It is considered that the destruction of the water supply there has given Rommel a major problem. An agency correspondent in the Western Desert reports that the Eighth Army, with its right flank at Mersa Matruh, was yesterday fighting a terrific battle against strong enemy armoured forces. The fighting extended from the coast across the railway and the road to some 20 miles to the soutli. While this, the principle battle, went on, many British troops were operating behind the enemy. According to the correspondent, the main British armoured units, which had been considerably reinforced, had not then been engaged. The enemy was evidently making a strong effort to capture Mersa Matruh. To the south an Italian armoured division and infantry were make a great effort to cut the road and railway. Ths correspondent adds that the aspect Vf desert war has completely changed in the last two'weeks. “It is open war, where strategy counts as much as arms, and anti-tank guns are supreme. With such fluid fighting no one can say what line will be held,” he says. A proclamation has been issued in Cairo asking the Egyptians to keep a close watch for landings of aeroplanes and the presence of suspicious strangers. “The Times,” commenting on the opening of the battle, says: “Again it is apparent that the enemy is losing no time. The attack can only be described as extremely dangerous.” An observer says that the enemy has not been using his air arm with his usual intensity. He may be reserving his air power to strike heavily at one place, or it might be that his divebombers are not fit for service, as a result of the last four weeks’ operations. A message from Ankara says the Germans are already shipping supplies to Tobruk. Small ships take on supplies at Piraeus and Salonika, halt at Crete, and dash to Tobruk under cover of darkness. Military quarters in Ankara estimate that over 25 per cent, of the entire Luftwaffe is operating in various parts of the Mediterranean.