IN PURSUIT OF ROMMEL’S ARMY IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1942, Page 3

IN PURSUIT OF ROMMEL’S ARMY IN LIBYA

British Advance Troops Now 160 Miles West of El Agheila FATE OF TRAPPED AXIS REARGUARD NOT YET REPORTED Al I IF.D AIR ATTACKS EXTENDED FAR AFIELD LONDON, December 18. The advance forces of the British Eighth Army are now 100 miles west of El Agheila, where they are still pushing forward, worrying the enemy as they go. A Cairo communique says the remnants of the enemy rearguard are continuing their withdrawal. Advance forces fought the enemy throughout the day north-west of Nofilia, 90 miles west of El Agheila. The extent of the damage inflicted on the enemy between Marble Arch and Wadi Matratin is not yet i known. Referring to the lack of definite, news as to the fate of Rommel’s forces cut off by the British troops, a Cairo correspondent says this silence does not mean anything, as British communiques during the last week have been intended largely to keep the enemy in the dark. The fact that the Eighth Army forces which outflanked the enemy at Wadi Matratin and drove a wedge to the coast are now moving westward must mean that the situation behind them has been largely liquidated. ■ Allied aircraft have the upper hand all over the battlefield. Only three enemy planes showed themselves over Libya yesterday. One was shot down and the others turned tail as soon as they glimpsed British fighters. Allied fighters and fighter-bombers are ranging furtherafield and yesterday swooped on the enemy airfield on Lampedusa Island, half way between Tripoli and Sicily, attacking many, planes on the ground. Allied planes have been ranging elsewhere along the Sicily-Tripoli line and five enemy planes have been shot down and a force of enemy barges damaged. A communique from Allied Headquarters in North Africa states that patrols have been active along the whole front. Formations of Flying Fortresses, escorted by Lightnings, attacked the docks at Bizerta and Tunis yesterday. Many fires were left burning in both places. Enemy fighters which attacked the bombers were driven off. Three of them were destroyed. Night bombers, with an escort of Lightnings and Spitfires, bombed the enemy airfield near Tunis and other targets elsewheer. Two enemy bombers were shot down by fighters over the southern area. No Allied planes are missing*. On Wednesday night one enemy bomber was destroyed. More detailed reports show that in the raids on Tunis and Bizerta on Tuesday, eight enemy fighters were shot down.