REGROUPING ON EGYPTIAN BATTLE FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 3

REGROUPING ON EGYPTIAN BATTLE FRONT

Eighth Army Reported To Be Well Prepared LOCAL INITIATIVE WITH GENERAL AUCHINLECK ALLIED AIRCRAFT RANGING FAR AND WIDE OVER DESERT LONDON, July 8. For a week the Axis forces have been pinned down before El Alamein. In the past few days only small-scale fighting, has taken place. Detailed news of enemy movements outside the battle area is scarce and both sides are hard at work regrouping their forces for the next stage of the battle, which may not be long delayed. If the enemy decides to move first, he will find the Eighth Army ready to give battle. Local initiative remains with General Auchinleck. British aircraft are flying far and wide over the desert, attacking enemy troops and transport and destroying supply dumps. In attacks on Malta, the enemy has changed his tactics. Since the beginning of tlie month he has sent over small, bomber forces, well protected by fighters. These operations have been repeated a number of times each day. They remain costly and in the first seven days of this month the island’s fighters and anti-aircraft barrage accounted for 53 enemy planes. Today, six more German planes were destroyed and others werfe damaged.