HELD AGAINST ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1942, Page 3

HELD AGAINST ATTACK

GROUND GAINED BY ALLIES IN EGYPT ■ ’ New Positions Firmly Consolidated NAVAL AND AIR ATTACKS ON MERSA MATRUH DAMAGE DONE TO ENEMY SHIPPING LONDON, July 13. British troops yesterday repulsed an enemy attack on the liewjy gained positions five miles west of El Alamein. The British positions on this northern sector have now been com sclidated to such good effect that when the enemy launched X his attack yesterday he was completely repulsed. The attack was made without the support of tanks. Although at first the enemy forces succeeded in penetrating to a degree, they were thrown out again and the position was restored. The lull in tank activity still continues. The bulk of the armoured forces of both forces are still waiting somewhere in the central area. • Reuter’s correspondent states that in general the British initiative in the desert has been maintained. The British position in the south has now been strengthened. Boston bombers hampered the enemy attack in the north by bombing transport concentrations. Fighter-bombers also were active against enemy vehicles and troop emplacements. The Royal Navy successfully bombarded Mersa Matruh. Sweeping close inshore, light naval forces raked the harbour with salvo after salvo of shells. In a quarter of an 'hour more than 700 high explosive shells were fired into the harbour. Naval aircraft followed up the bombardment by plastering the harbour with bombs. Many large fires were stated and several enemy ships were damaged. The British forces suffered neither loss nor damage. Earlier in the evening*, the Navy and naval aircraft cooperated in sinking an enemy supply vessel nearby. Judging from the explosion which took place, the ship must have been carrying ammunition.