ON ROMMEL’S DEFENCES WEST OF BUERAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1943, Page 4

ON ROMMEL’S DEFENCES WEST OF BUERAT

According to the Morocco Radio STRONG BRITISH TANK FORCES ASSEMBLED FRENCH THREAT TO NAZI SOUTHERN FLANK (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 12. Strong tank forces have joined British advanced units in the Wadi Zemzem. area and the first tanks have begun an attack, declared the Morocco radio. British patrols have been extremely active against enemy positions during the past ±ew hours. xi w The British United Press correspondent with the Eighth Army at Buerat says Rommel, from all the signs, intends to make a stand between Buerat and .Misurata. The enemy is working hard, digging and blasting for operations, evidently intended to protect his right flank from attack from the desert. Observers also report that Rommel is massing tanks, armoured units and motor transport. Allied planes lately have been busy, attacking enemy vehicles beyond Misurata, between Zliten and Homs. , . Reuter’s Cairo correspondent reports that a larger number of Axis planes appeared over the Buerat area yesterday, when five were shot down and many others damaged in fierce dogfights. . , , General Leclerc’s success, in completing the conquest oi Fezzan, after a drive of over 1,000 miles in three weeks from a base in Chad, is most important. His forward elements, driving northward, routed an Axis motorised detachment and now, it is reported, are only about 300 miles south of Tripoli, where he will represent an increasing threat against Rommel s southern flank- Murzuk is the religious capital of Fezzan and Nebka is the chief military centre.