EIGHTH ARMY STAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1942, Page 4

EIGHTH ARMY STAND

IN BATTLE OF EGYPT ' MAIN ARMOURED FORCES. ENGAGED ON EL ALAMEIN LINE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 1. The battle of Egypt, in which the main armoured forces of both sides are engaged, opened early this morning, west of El Alamein. No news has yet been received in Cairo regarding the progress of the battle, which is at the northern end of the forty mile line on which the Eighth Army is making a stand, between the sea and the Quattara depression. After forced daylight marches, the Germans and Italians concentrated at the southern end of the. British line, where Rommel is gathering heavy artillery, apparently aiming to punch a hole and then outflank the defences nearer the coast. The Berlin radio stated this morning that Axis troops were already attacking El Alamein, which the radio says is the last fortified position before Alexandria. The enemy radio added that German and Italian troops, advancing on a broad' front, were continuously attacking. A Cairo message says the Egyptian Cabinet met last night. Earlier Nahas Pasha (Premier) had an audience with King Farouk.

LINES OF DEFENCE

NAZI EFFORTS TO GET UP SUPPLIES. R.A.F. TAKING HEAVY TOLL OF TRANSPORT. (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, July 1. The Eighth Army’s line takes every advantage of a rocky terrain. General Auchinleck apparently plans to use a line ,as a buffer with which to take the first shock of Rommel’s onset and then to halt the Italians and Germans with support troops and reserves. The German 90th Light Motorised Panzers, and Italian motorised units are engaged in the northern battle. _ The Associated Press of Great Britain Cairo correspondent says there aie several defence lines, in which there are thousands of troops and hundreds of cannon between the Nile and the Axis forces. The enemy is receiving some supplies by air, but the R.A.F. is taking heavy toll of air transports. An “Express” correspondent at battle headquarters says the battle is reaching a climax. Under a full moon, the Aimy and the R.A.F. are putting out a supreme effort. The Germans have managed to get a couple of trains 1 mining, which are bringing up supplies and reinforcements from the Tobruk area. The Germans are using some captured General Grant tanks and 25-pounder field guns.