HEADED FOR TRIPOLI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1942, Page 3

HEADED FOR TRIPOLI

ROMMELS HASTY RETREAT MAIN BRITISH FORCES REGROUPING. FOR ANOTHER FORWARD THRUST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright' LONDON. December 29. , The vanguard of the British Eighth Army is still in contact with FieldMarshal Rommel’s rearguard in the broken area along Wadi Bei el Kebir, which thrusts a deep gash through.the desert wastes 40 miles west of Sirte. It does not appear that Rommel intends to put up a determined . fight here. His main transport is racing to Tripoli as fast as possible. The main British forces are regrouping west of Sirte for another forward thrust. It is believed that Rommel is not in a position to make a stand till be reaches Tripoli, where he can obtain food and ammunition, and most important of all, petrol, of which he must be sorely in need. The last part of Rommel's retreat should be less difficult. He has already reached broken country which is easier to defend, with the great Trurga salt-marshes on . his flank, while beyond Misurata begins Tripoli’s cultivated belt, with water and some •food available.

ENEMY CLAIM BRITISH OUTFLANKING MOVE HELD UP. ON ACCOUNT OF SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, December 29. The German news agency says that General Montgomery has dropped his new outflanking move against FieldMarshal Rommel's forces. Montgomery, it says, had two groups advancing from the south, the first including part of the New Zealand Division. Supply depots had already been prepared for both groups. After costly experiences at El Aghcila and increasing difficulties with supplies, especially drinking water, Montgomery has evidently abandoned his plan, and the desert forces as a result of hesitation have lost contact with the German and Italian tank army.

ENEMY VEHICLES DESTROYED BY BRITISH PATROLS IN LIBYA. AXIS SHIP SUNK OFF PANTELLARIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, December 30. A Middle East joint communique states: “Our patrols operating against enemy positions west of Wadi Bci El Kcbir yesterday engaged and destroyed some enemy vehicles. Otherwise there is nothing to report. There was no increase in air activity over the battle area yesterday. “A naval torpedo-aircraft attacked and sank a south-bound enemy merchant ship off Pantellaria Island on Monday night. . On the same night docks at Tunis and Sousse were successfully attacked. Yesterday our fighters shot down a Junkers 88 over the Central Mediterranean. All our aircraft returned from the above operations.”

AMERICAN PLANS GOVERNMENT OF OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. TEMPORARY MILITARY CONTROL. NEW YORK, December 29. The army has already formulated plans for the .military, government of occupied territories, said the Undersecretary of War, Mr Patterson, in a speech to the graduation class of. a military school at Charlottesville, Virginia. He emphasised that such controls would be maintained only while necessary for the military campaign. "The reason is,” he .said, . “that we have no use for imperialism, and when military necessity ceases civilian government will take control, ending military authority, but there must .bo unrestricted military control, during military operations. Fears of rule by the sword have been expressed at various times as far back as the Revolutionary War. For that reason, when you hear once more talk about the military wanting control, the best thing is to keep your sense of humour.”

FRENCH COMMANDER

JUIN SUCCEEDS GIRAUD. (British Ofi’icial Wireless.) RUGBY, December 29. It is officially announced that General Juin has been appointed comman-der-in-chief of the French forces in North Africa in successsion to General Giraud, who is now High Commissioner. , , , Interviewed at the advanced headquarters of the French army. General Juin expressed complete confidence in the co-operation of the Allied forces, from whom the French had already received equipment and more was promised. He added that Allied air support had been magnificent. CONVOY & ESCORT ASSEMBLED AT GIBRALTAR. ACCORDING TO PARIS RADIO. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 29. The Paris radio says that great activity at Gibraltar indicates the coming resumption of the Allied offensive 1R the Mediterranean. About 100 transports and merchantmen are in the harbour, also three battleships, three air-craft-carriers, three cruisers, 13 destroyers and 12 submarines. AMERICAN TROOPS SECOND CONTINGENT LANDED AT DAKAR. AERODROME TAKEN OVER. LONDON, December 29. The Morocco radio says that a second contingent of American troops has landed at Dakar, in French West Africa, and has taken over the aerodrome.