VITAL AERODROME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1942, Page 3

VITAL AERODROME

OCCUPIED BY EIGHTH ARMY COMMAND OF MEDITERRANEAN NARROWS REMNANTS OF ROMMEL'S ARMY WIDELY SCATTERED. LONDON, November 16. The occupation by the British Eighth Army of the Martuba aerodrome, in Libya, 25 miles west of Tmimi, will have a vital effect on the battle for the Mediterranean life line. The Martuba aerodrome commands the narrow channel between Cyrenaica and the south-western corner of Crete. In this area, known as “Bomb Alley,” Allied ships of late have been exposed to extreme danger. The position is now reversed. Fighter protection can be given to ships almost anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. The defence and supply of Malta at the same time is much simplified and, from the offensive standpoint, the future of Italy looks grim. Rommel’s fleeing remnants m Libya appear now to be scattered in various areas, from Derna to El Agheila, which is far beyond Benghazi, on the coast road running round towards Tripoli. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent in Libya says the British are now driving westward at an average speed of at least 37 miles a day. and they are now everywhere beyond the positions they had occupied on May 27, when Rommel began his offensive An enemy column on the coast, west of Derna, and another inland near Mekili, are retreating westward as fast as possible, and there is no prospect of any stand by the enemy till the confines of Cyrenaica and Tripoli, south of the Gulf of Sidra, are reached. A traveller who has arrived in Ankara states that every day scores of train-loads of German soldiers aie reaching Italy. Some of the soldiers have come directly from the Russian front.

AT RACING SPEED EIGHTH ARMY PURSUIT HEADED FOR THE BORDERS OF CYRENAICA. WHERE ROMMEL MAY ATTEMPT STAND, (British Official Wireless.) (Receiveci This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. A correspondent with the Eighth Army says the present indications are that Rommel, who has already received a few reinforcements and expects more, by way of Tunis and Tripoli, will try to hold the Allied forces in the El Agheila region and reorganise his troops. Even though the Eighth Army meets no resistance in Cyrenaica, it must be several days before it reaches El Agheila, some 300 miles from Martuba, the furthest point officially reported to have been reached in the pursuit. The difficulties of keeping pace with Rommel’s desperate flight towards El Agheila and Agedabia can be realised from the fact that in the last six days the R.A.F. have advanced 100 miles daily, occupying as they go aerodromes left by the Luftwaffe a day or two before.. The Germans are fighting only small, delaying actions. With them are a few Italians rescued from the debacle on the northern front. All those who fought in the southern or central sectors have been destroyed. The Derna road, on which the Allied forward elements have been travelling all day, is still closed and blown up in many parts and mined everywhere on the side of the road and in adjoining scrubby sands. Lorries, tractors, trucks and other motorised vehicles are moving towards El Agheila, while R.A.F., United States and South African fighter-bombers are massacring the remnants of Rommel’s Afrika Korps and yesterday destroyed 83 vehicles. The road between Benghazi and Agedabia must present the same aspect. YET CONFIRMED CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY NEAR BIZERTA. NO OFFICIAL ESTIMATE OF AXIS STRENGTH. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) ” RUGBY, Novembre 16. There is no confirmation in London yet of the Rabat radio report that Allied forces have made contact with the Germans near Bizerta. Neither is there an official estimate of the Axis strength in Tunisia, but it is considered certain that the enemy will put in his largest possible force in view of the enormous strategic importance of Tunis and Bizerta. WHERE IS ROMMEL? REPORTED NARROW ESCAPE FROM CAPTURE. LONDON, November 15. The German-controlled Scandinavian Telegraph Bureau reports that Field-Marshal Rommel has several times narrowly escaped capture during the Axis retreat. Last week he was at the field headquarters to the east of Tobruk when British tanks penetrated his encampment. Rommel made off, leaving an overcoat and cape behind. Rommel is reported to have declared, “Like Napoleon, I have lost my equipment, but there will be no Waterloo.” It is considered that the story may have been inspired with the object of attempting to convince neutrals that Rommel is still in North Africa and not in Germany, as has been many times reported. The German newspapers continue their efforts to buoy up the German people’s faith in Rommel, stating that his superior skill will enable him to fight on ground which he and not the enemy chooses.