HEADLONG RETREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1942, Page 3

HEADLONG RETREAT

AND RELENTLESS CHASE TREMENDOUS ALLIED AIR ATTACK. FIGHTER-BOMBERS ESTABLISH NEW RECORD. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 14. Rommel’s Afrika Korps is retreating headlong into Tripolitania, relentlessly pursued by the Eighth Army. Reuter’s Cairo correspondent says Rommel’s withdrawal began when Allied forces, operating southwards, outflanked the enemy’s defences and made his position at El Agheila untenable. The R.A.F. employed tactics similar to those used against the enemy at El Alamein. Our air striking force nine days ago was given the practically single task of blasting the enemy’s forward fighter base at Marble Arch. This was done so successfully, in a series of raids, that the enemy was forced to withdraw the greater part of his fighter strength from El Agheila to Nofilia, 90 miles westward. The practical result of this was that the Axis ground forces behind the El Agheila line were without air support. Messerschmitts were unable. to reach the area and remain there for any length of time. Allied air activity reached its peak yesterday, when British, Australian and American airmen maintained a strafing and bombing shuttle service from dawn to dusk against the enemy without losing a olane. Fighter-bombers carried out over 300 sorties, which is a record for these planes in any theatre of war. ENEMY PORTS ATTACKED BY BOMBERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, December 14. A Cairo communique states: “The Eighth Army yesterday turned Rommel out of his strong positions at Marsa Brega, at little cost to themselves. The enemy is retreating westwards, relentlessly pursued by leading elements of our forces. Allied fighter-bombers, operating on an unprecedented scale, were employed to harass the enemy. Axis air actiivty was totally ineffective in preventing these operations. In the few instances when German fighters attempted to interfere they were successfully engaged and at least six aircraft were shot down. “The harbours of Palermo and Susa were successfully attacked on Saturday by our medium bombers. Four of our planes are missing.” “NOT SURPRISING” BERLIN ANNOUNCEMENT OF RETREAT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 14. Rommel’s withdrawal from El Agheila to more westward positions is offically announced in Berlin. Commenting on the announcement, the Berlin radio said this was not surprising, because signs of such an intention on Rommel’s part had been increasing in the last few days. “Military experts,” the enemy radio added, -“think Rommel’s withdrawal, which is favoured by bad weather, will improve the general position of the Axis forces if the German commander succeeds in safely reaching the fortified Misurata line, which will add a further 375 miles to General Montgomery’s supply lines.” FRENCH AIRMEN WILL SOON BE FIGHTING IN TUNISIA. UNITED STATES PROVIDING EQUIPMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 14. A French air squadron will soon be fighting alongside the British and American ail’ forces in Tunisia, says Reuter's Algiers correspondent. Experienc!cd French pilots and air crews, with thousands of hours’ flying time to their I credit, and many of whom fought against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of France, will shortly be supplied with American equipment. on the second course. The. colonel and the adjutant, both of whom were : wounded, went off together, refusing to allow any men to go with them as thev could not go fast. The men who have returned are still hoping that their colonel will get through,' and they have asked to be i allowed to go and search for him and . the adjutant,