NUMBER OF GERMANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1942, Page 3

NUMBER OF GERMANS

INCLUDED IN HAUL OF PRISONERS ITALIAN TRIBUTE PAID. TO AUSTRALIAN PATROLS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 21. _ It is revealed that the 6000 prisoners taken since the El Alamein battle began include a fair number of Germans. Italian prisoners include .grenadiers from the crack Sardinian regiment—the pick of the Italian infantry. The latest 4000 prisoners include 250 officers, four of whom are above the rank of colonel. The correspondent of the “Daily Express” says that the Allies in the south sector yesterday made contact with the German rearguards at two points. The Germans withdrawing to the central sector were subjected to a ceaseless harassing from our mobile units. The latest Allied advance to El Taqa and Jebel Kalakh represents a total advance of 10 miles from the eastern extremity of the Axis push. El Taqa and Jebel Kalakh are regions on the higher ground immediately to the north of the eastern end of Quattar Depression. Jebel Kalakh is about 20 miles to the south of El Alamein and El Taqa is five or six miles farther south. The most eloquent tribute to the success of our anti-tank guns and planes is the fact that no armour was used in the attack against Ruweisat Ridge at the end of last week. The obvious explanation is the severe mauling Rommel’s tanks received in the earlier action. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the awed respect with which Australian patrols inspired members of the Italian staff who had previous experience of them is illustrated in a letter from an Italian divisonal officer to a battalion commander who was taking his men into the line for the first time. “The units before you are Australians—notable patrollers,” he said. “Keep your eyes open and withdraw your patrols more ,than 100 metres from the strongpoints, or you will find yourself high and dry with only an alarm bell for protection.”