Evening star., 1941-12-23
British Forces Drive
To Gulf Of Sirte in
libyan Campaign
Reinforcements Sped,
Beneosi Pressure
Is Increased

By the Associated Press.
CAIRO. Dec. 23.-British speed
columns have reached the coastal
plain south of the Gulf OF Sirte,
far behind Bengasi, and other such
forces are slashing freely into the
areas through which Germans and
Italians must retreat If they are
to reach Tripoli safely, the British
said today.
(The remnants of the Axis
armies probably will attempt
final stand in the region Of
Bengasi. because German Gen.
Edwin Rommel cannot help it,"
said an authoritative military
commentator in London.
CThe number of British col
umns operating south of Ben
gasi would appear to make a
wholesale withdrawal into Tripo-
litania impossible. he said. Thus
the Germans and Italians have
no choice but to fightD
One column carried out destruc-
tive raid on an advanced Axis land
ing ground at Agedabia, 100 miles
south of Bengasi, two nights ago
and wiped out no fewer than 81
planes parked on the field, said q
communique.
British Increase Pressure on Bengasi.
These swift operations threaten
ing and nipping at the Axis line OF
retreat followed the announcement
yesterday that another such column
had swooped on a newly established
airfield $50 miles inside Tripoli-
tania, far to the west, and de-
stroyed at least "a planes.
Meanwhile hurriedly reinforced
troops were said in the communique
to be steadily increasing their
pressure on Bengasi. The Italian
forces still east of that second
most important Axis base in North
Africa were said to be only rear
guards.
The communique said the relent-
lessly grinding British pursuit OF
routed Germans and italians had
left in its wake a great mass OF
wreckedwar material-tanks, planes,
trucks and guns-which was found
scattered far and wide over the
countryside all the way from the
inland strongpoint of Mekili to
Bengasi.
r. A. F. Attacks Supply Columns.
Despite sandstorms and other un-
favorable weather British airmen
attacking columns Of troops and
supplies were reported necessarily
adding to the war wreckage.
These attacks were reported espe-
cially severe to the south and west
Of Agedabia.
1t was in this general area, south
Of Bengasi, that flying column
Of tanks in Britain's offensive a
year ago encountered and defeated
large Italian tank forces. BY that
action the Italians in Bengasi were
cut of and the port later was
captured, only to be lost to the
subsequent Axis counterofensive.
Capture of "A Axis Planes Claimed.
An R. A. r. communique said "A
Axis planes had been captured at
Derna Airdrome.
Planes harried retreating Axis
forces, causing heavy casualties
among enemy troops and great dam
age to motorized conveys on the El
Agheila road, the communique said
In one attack more than 100
trucks, most OF them full OF troops,
were successfully attacked, with
many trucks and trailers DESTROYED.
Planes ranged as far west as
Tripoli, where an airport was re-
ported attacked and at least seven
planes destroyed by fire and build
ings hit. Bombs were dropped in
the motor transport dispersal area
Of the city and pilots said there were
violent explosions and fires.
Many German and italian troops
have been overtaken by the British.
but so furious Is the pursuit, the
communique said, that 1t is not yet
possible to indicate the number OF
prisoners taken.