BRILLIANT STROKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1942, Page 3

BRILLIANT STROKE

EIGHTH ARMY THRUST TO COAST ENEMY COMPLETELY SURPRISED. FAILURE OF REPEATED TANK ATTACKS. (By Telegraph,—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, December 18. Following the brilliant desert detour by a strong force of the Eighth Army, which has trapped and mauled a considerable part of Field-Marshal Rommel’s retreating army west of Wadi Matratin', 60 miles beyond El Agheila, fierce fighting is continuing. The latest reports 'indidate 'that the Germans are vainly attempting to break out, but are being squeezed between, a strong British force entrenched along the wadi, and the main force picking its way along the mine-strewn coast road. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent says that the brilliant flanking move has pinned the cream of the Afrika Korqs on a 20-mile stretch of exposed road, where they are under attack from land dnd air. The encircled forces consist of the remnants of the 15th panzer and 19th light infantry divisions, with all their supporting artillery. General Montgomery has carried out oue of the most dairing, and dramatic operations in the Libyan campaign. A Correspondent says that the desert detour which outfllanked the enemy was made by some of the toughest of our troops, led by some of the most famous generals in the Middle .East. The correspondent a few days ago watched the force massing south of El Agheila with brilliant use of cover and camouflage. By ordinary military standards there was only one practicable route for the mechanised forces, namely, the coast road, and Field-Marshal Rommel based the strategy of his retreat in this assumption. But General Montgomery’s, intelligence officers discovered an old track, long disused, running westward from Marada, which is 70 miles south of El Agheila, and then leading to the coast road up the Wadi Matratin. General Montgomery decided to risk pushing a strong force over the track, and his daring has been justified by success. The Germans who were falling back steadily, were completely surprised when they found the wadi in British hands. The enemy repeatedly hurled tanks against the hastily-improvised British positions, but without sqccess.