ROMMEL’S WRECKING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1942, Page 3

ROMMEL’S WRECKING

OF HIS OWN POSITIONS & INSTALLATIONS SIGNS OF LONG FAREWELL. POSITION OF TRAPPED FORCE STILL OBSCURE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. The engagement with Rommel’s rearguard at Wadi Matratin, of which such high hope was entertained, has degenerated into confused, swirling fighting, with friend and foe so mixed up that it is virtually impossible to distinguish the actual position, reports. “The Times” correspondent with the Eighth Army. It is still not known whether an appreciable number of the German rearguard managed to burst out of the trap. Lack of positive news from the front should not be taken as a sign that the action is not going well. Our general position is far better than seemed possible ten days ago. The enemy has been driven back a long way and his destruction and wrecking of his own installations and positions indicates that he clearly does not expect to return. Smouldering cJu m P s > roads ruthlessly torn up by mines and shattered buildings constitute Rommel’s farewell to Eastern Tripolitania.