PULLING OUT?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1942, Page 4

PULLING OUT?

SOME OF ROMMEL’S UNITS INDICATION OF WESTWARD MOVE. EXHAUSTION ADMITTED BY PRISONERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 5. “The initiative in the Battle for Egypt is now passing from the Axis forces to the British,” says Reuter’s Cairo correspondent. “A large enemy column is reported to be moving westwards. This may indicate that some of Rommel’s units are pulling out to avoid being cut off by a flanking movement of British armoured units. “A big share of the Allies’ attack yesterday fell on fresh troops, including the New Zealanders. Indian units, which have suffered considerable casualties, and also some British Guards units, have been withdrawn for. reorganisation. New tanks and guns continue to arrive at the front. The new equipment includes some General Lee tanks, which are similar to the General Grants, with modifications. “Six hundred German infantrymen who surrendered yesterday, without much resistance, said they were so exhausted that they were no longer able to fight. They admitted that the Axis troops were receiving less than a pint of water daily. The 600 prisoners were from the German Ninetieth Light Infantry Division.' It ,is the first time Germans have been known to surrender in such numbers from a crack division. All the prisoners agreed that they were sick and tired of the desert fighting.” The Budapest radio, quoting a Berlin message, said Axis forces had made contact with United States troops at El Alamein.