BEST TO DATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1942, Page 3

BEST TO DATE

SUPPORT OF OUR TROOPS BV R.A.F. ENEMY AIRCRAFT HARRIED RELENTLESSLY. BY INDOMITABLE BRITISH FIGHTERS. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT, July 12. New Zealand troops fighting in the Eiattle for Egypt have had more direct air support in the last week than ever before in the history of the forces. Air co-operation methods which the troops had seen previously only on manoeuvres have been used as a powerful means of striking often and hard at the enemy’s concentration of troops and armoured units. In last winter’s campaign, the battles moved so rapidly over such a large area that full use could not be made of our air 1 superiority to give close support to our land attacks. The more static warfare of this campaign has been used to the fullest advantage by the R.A.F. Directed by radio messages from the air support link with New Zealand headquarters, R.A.F. bombers have flown over our lines almost every day and night to blast targets selected for them from ground and air reports of the enemy’s movement. German positions as close as a few hundred yards from our forward positions have been skilfully bombed. So pronounced has been the decrease in enemy air activity over our lines that almost invariably in the last two days the drone of approaching planes has indicated just another R.A.F. bombing raid or fighter sweep. The determined German divebombing attacks of a few days ago have become rare and half-hearted. Even the usual sundown raids, known generally as the “evening” or the evening hymn of hate, are now by no means regular. Shortly before dusk yesterday we heard the roar of plhnes in the west and waited for the 'German raiders to come out of the sun. They came, but too hurriedly to be concerned with targets in our line. Chasing among them in a dogfight that swirled across the sky above us was a bunch of our fighters. When the gunfire dies away each night, our bombers are overhead again continuing the seemingly endless attack.

ALLIED AIRCRAFT AGAIN USED IN FORCE. SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.7 a.m.) RUGBY, July 16. A communique states: “Light bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters were again used in force. Two direct hits were scored on grounded enemy aircraft and gun positions were also successfully attacked. Our bombers last evening attacked Benghazi, where fires were started. Last night Tobruk was again attacked in force. Two of our aircraft failed to return.”

AMERICAN TANKS

USE MASTERED QUICKLY BY NEW ZEALANDERS. SUCCESS IN EARLY BRUSHES WITH ENEMY. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT, July 13. Within 24 hours of delivery of the General Stuart tanks a few days ago, men of the New Zealand divisional cavalry had mastered their operation. Within another 24 hours they had their first brush with the enemy. It was only a small-scale affair certainly, but it demonstrated the capabilities of the tanks to the men’s satisfaction and the enemy’s discomfort. Three of these tanks, popularly known as “Honeys,” were on patrol when they encountered three armoured vehicles which scurried out of range on being engaged by the tanks’ twopounders. They returned to the scene reinforced by three tanks. Meanwhile, the New Zealanders had been joined by two more of their “Honeys,” and a willing exchange of fire resulted in the enemy withdrawing at all speed. The New Zealanders were not to be drawn, which was fortunate, as they were able to retire without loss or damage when they came under fire from an 88-mm. gun. The “Honey” is a fast, light American tank carrying a two-pounder and three machine-guns.

It is operated by a crew of four. It is admirably suited for patrol and reconnaissance work, on which it is now engaged. The New Zealanders spent the day after their delivery putting the tanks through their paces a few miles behind the forward positions of the troops. To many it was their first experience of tanks, but they were quick to adapt themselves. Every man knew his job when the following day they went out on operations. Oui’ troops have moved forward a short distance to straightened positions, beyond which the enemy has been busy consolidating . The approach was made under shellfire and strong mortar opposition through an area littered with derelict enemy guns and burnt-out trucks, destroyed by our artillery some days ago.

NEW ZEALAND GUNS IN ACTION AGAINST TANKS. ENEMY ATTACKS BROKEN. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT, July 10. The New Zealand artillery destroyed three German tanks in a short but furious engagement about 20 miles south of El Alamein early this morning. Almost 100 guns and a strong force of co-operating bombers was prepared to meet a German attack, but after a few rounds of gunfire the enemy withdrew. The action occurred in the area where a few days ago the New Zealand artillery was largely responsible for the destruction of 42 German and Italian guns. In the first light this mbrning a force of German tanks appeared on a ridge at Alam Nayil, which we had used most successfully as an observation post yesterday. As our artillery was preparing to lay down a. barrage against them, divisional cavalry patrols saw a second German armoured force going to reinforce the tanks. When the Germans were about six miles from our positions, 25pounder shells burst among them, quickly, breaking up the attack. Though it is not yet 10.30 a.m. this is the second highly successful barrage our artillery has fired today. Long before dawn the gunners had sent tons of high explosive screaming toward the enemy’s positions. At 3.30 we were awakened by the first thundering shots of a five-hour barrage. Our guns were fired in support of an attack the Australians and South Africans were making in the coastal area. The flashes of the guns lit up the escarpments and wadis about us as shot after shot was fired into the darkness. There seemed to be hardly one minute, between then and dawn, that the guns were silent. In the New Zealand section of the front line there was little activity last night. One platoon of the Fifth Brigade fought a short engagement, and other patrols made brief contact with the enemy.