WITHOUT REST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1942, Page 4

WITHOUT REST

ACTIVITIES OF THE ALLIED AIRFORCES IN AND BEYOND BATTLE AREA. MANY EFFECTIVE ATTACKS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.4 a.m.) RUGBY, July 3. The recent sustained operations of the Allied air forces in the Middle East battle area and the Mediterranean are described by the Air Ministry news service. When the British Army counter-attacked yesterday evening it was supported by day-bombers, which made two heavy raids on enemy concentrations. The bomber crews had already been making sortie alter sortie since dawn. These two raids were the climax oi a day on which bomber crews and fighter pilots kept up an almost unbelievable pace. Taking off for repeated attacks, and resting only while their aircraft were refuelled and rearmed, they made numerous raids on enemy tanks and transport in the actual battle area, south-west of El Alamem. Fighter squadrons also ground-strafed landing grounds in the enemy’s reai. Fuka probably wrote off four Messerschmitt 109 s on the ground. Last night, heavier bombers were in action again over the battle area and in strength against Tobruk. Medium bombers concentrated on enemy concentrations in the forward areas. , Malta is striking hard at the enemy s rear and enemy planes were destroyed. In the early hours of this morning, an enemy convoy was attacked m the lonian Sea and a direct hit was scored on one vessel. JOINT COMMUNIQUE LAND & AIR FIGHTING. (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) CAIRO, July 3. A joint communique states: ‘‘Enemy forces on July 2 made a general attack from the west against our El Alamein positions. Our mobile armoured forces counter-attacked the enemy s flank and he withdrew westwards, after an armoured battle in the late evening, leaving our positions intact. Throughout the battle, our light bombers, fignte bombers and fighters were employed m increasing numbers. They heavi y a tacked enemy concentrations southwest of El Alamein. “Heavy bombers on the night, of July 2 made a large-scale attack on Tobruk. Medium bombers operated against the enemy’s rear on the battle area. Enemy air activity over the battle area increased on the afternoon and night of “The enemy attacked Malta on the day and night of July 1“Our fighters destroyed eight planes. Seven of ours are missing.”

AIRCRAFT LOSSES

SCALE MUCH AGAINST ENEMY. R.A.F. LEAVES NOTHING BEHIND. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 3. A R.A.F. officer who has just arrived from Cairo says that although the R.A.F.’s losses are considerable, they are far less than those of the enemy. So effective was the R.A.F.’s withdrawal that only five damaged planes were left behind and these were blown up. No equipment was lost. The enemy left 400 damaged planes when he , withdrew last November. So many Stukas were shot down over Bir Hacheim at one stage that none were left and the Germans were compelled to bring in Junkers 88s. “SHEER MADNESS” BERLIN ON NEW ZEALANDERS’ CHARGE. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 3. The Berlin radio, commenting on the New Zealanders’ action at Mersa Matruh on July 1, said their moonlight bayonet charge “almost succeeded, although it was sheer madness.” AMERICAN TROOPS FIGHTING IN THE BATTLE OF EGYPT. ACCORDING TO CORRESPONDENT IN GERMANY. (Received his Day. 11.55 a.m.) . LONDON, July 3. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Allahanda” says American troops are participating in the El Alainein battle. NAZI “LIBERATION” PROMISED TO EGYPT. JOINT ITALO-GERMAN DECLARATION. (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. A combined German-Italian official declaration reasserts a firm intention to respect and safeguard the sovereignty of Egypt and declares that Axis forces have not set foot in Egypt as enemies, but with the object of driving the British from Egyptian territory and continuing military operations against the British which will free the Near East from British domination. “The Axis policy,” the declaration states, “is determined by the principle of Egypt for the Egyptians.”