IN BATTLE FOR EGYPT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1942, Page 3

IN BATTLE FOR EGYPT

Speedy Renewal of Heavy Fighting Anticipated ALLIED AIR FORCES UNCEASINGLY ACTIVE MANY ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED OVER MALTA LONDON, July 7. ; There was a comparative lull in the fighting in Egypt ’yesterday, though artillery exchanges were going on. These probably herald a renewal of the action today. The lull seems to mark the end of the first phase of the El Alamein battle. Observers state that it can justifiably be said that the battle has gone in the Allies’ favour. Yesterday British battle groups engaged and dispersed several small enemy columns. The line is roughly like the letter L, running south from the sea for 20 miles and turning back at right rangles towards the west. 1 The British air forces continue to attack the enemy in the battle area. A number of enemy aircraft were damaged. The landing ground at El Daba was the principal target of Allied bombers. Enemy transport was also attacked. British and United States hea.vy bombers attacked enemy shipping at Benghazi. In all operations, four Allied planes are missing. Last night one enemy plane was shot down west of Cairo and another was damaged. Enemy raids on. Malta continue, but at a big price. During three raids yesterday, British fighters destroyed 12 enemy machines. This brought the day’s total to 16 destroyed and many more damaged. Over Malta today nine more Axis fighters were destroyed and several others damaged. R.A.F. fighters in 24 hours have shot down 24 enemy planes.