‘DEFEAT HIM WE WILLI!’

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1942, Page 3

‘DEFEAT HIM WE WILLI!’

TEXT OF AUCHINLECK’S ORDER ENEMY HAS SUFFERED HEAVILY. AND IS FAR FROM SUPPLY BASES. (British Official Wireelss.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, July 1. A supreme effort by the Eighth Army has been called for by General Auchinleck in an order of the day, which states: “Officers and men of the Eighth Army.—You have fought hard and continuously for over a month. No troops could have fought better. You have had heavy losses, and in spite of your efforts you have experienced the disappointment of giving ground before an enemy who has a superiority in armoured troops. It must not be forgotten that he, too, has had serious losses. His units are much more reduced in strength, and he is a long way from his bases of supply. The situation now calls for a supreme effort on the part of all of us. We are fighting a battle for Egypt, a battle in which the enemy must be destroyed. You have shown you can stick it; I know you will stick it right out until he n an stand it no longer—until he cracks. The enemy must be given no rest. He must be attacked and harried wherever you find him. The battle is not over yet, and will not be over until we have defeated him. Defeat him we will.” Mention in a joint land and air communique (not yet received) of an enemy approach to the British positions is thought to imply that fighting on a large scale has developed today. It is understood in London that the British forces are engaged in the neighbourhood of El Amein, about seventy miles from Alexandria.

RAID ON HAIFA SLIGHT DAMAGE & FEW CASUALTIES. LONDON, July 1. In the early hours of this morning enemy planes raided Haifa. A few bombs were dropped, causing slight damage and a few casualties, none of which was fatal. AUSTRALIAN DIVISION MOVE FROM SYRIA TO EGYPT? ARMY MINISTER REFUSES STATEMENT. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) (Special P.A. Correspondent.) • CANBERRA, This Day. Asked whether the A.I.F. Ninth Division, previously in Syria, had been transferred to stations in the Battle for Egypt, the Army Minister (Mr Forde) said: “I am not at liberty to make any statement on that at all.” It is understood that the formal consent of the Australian Government would not be necessary to move the Ninth Division to an active fighting front. JUNKERS PLANE DESTROYED DURING RAID ON MALTA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, July 1. In an enemy raid on Malta on Monday night, night fighters destroyed a Junkers 88. AAIERICAN PLANES REINFORCEMENT OF MALTA DEFENCES. / ENEMY ALREADY CAUSED CONSIDERABLE LOSSES. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 1. The Navy Department has announced that aerial reinforcements to Malta! have already caused the enemy considerable losses. HITLER’S JACKAL SHORTLY GOING TO LIBYA. LONDON, June 29. Zurich reports that messages from Rome state that Mussolini is shortly going to Libya to inspect the Italian forces.

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY

IN THE MIDDLE EAST. LONDON, July 1. The “Gazette” devotes nine pages to the names of officers and men mentioned for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East during July and October, including General Ritchie and Colonel Sir Stephen Allen of New Zealand.