THREE-DAY BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1942, Page 3

THREE-DAY BATTLE

TOUGH ENGAGEMENT ALONG COAST ROAD. EPIC SWEEP THROUGH DESERT. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, December 20. The battle which raged for three days along the coast road following the cutting off of one of Rommels panzer divisions by New Zealand infantry and British tanks on December 15 was one of the toughest engagements since the beginning of the present push. Armoured units met stilt resistance on the causeway at the junction of the road from Marada with the main coast road. The Germans here realised that the position was desperate and, pursued by our tanks, gradually withdrew into the ranks oi the New Zealand division, which was coming up along the road in the panzer’s rear. The enemy broke up into groups and began darting through gaps in the New Zealanders ranks. The fighting became confused with the panzers very roughly handled. Prisoners were captured and retaken on both sides. We lost some men. The New Zealanders, after an epic sweep through the desert, took up their positions southwards of Matratin. A considerable portion of Rommel’s panzers were trapped between the New Zealanders and other British forces advancing up the coast road. The New Zealanders dashed into the action and got on the road to the rear of the en-

emy. British armoured forces then advanced from a point south of Suera, which is due south of Mersa Brega. They got among the panzers south of El Agheila but casualties were very slight. Our material losses were also comparatively light.