The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-11-25
miles east of Tripoll,
 May gnllk L,lhVa

May Split Llbya
 It would split Libya into two seg- ments and cut off Gen, Erwin Rom- mels forces now engaged In Q des- perate fight for existence around Re9eRh. El Agheila was the fur- thermost point of the British push Into Libya early this year under Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell.
 The daring maneuver shifted at- tention from the terrific tank en- counter raging around Re2egh, There the Nazi luftwaffe was pour ing endorsements, particularly crack Messerschmitt MEl09F fighter planes, into the battle area in an attempt to wrest domination of the air from British squadrons, many of them equipped with American Cur- tis Tomahawk fighters.
 The increasing Axis air strength was indicated by the figure of air losses which showed that Monday was the heaviest day of air fighting since the offensive started 0 week ago. The British downed 3S enemy planes and lost Il of their own, four of the pilots being reported safe, Tho figure Sunday was l6 Axis planes shot down which also was e record up to that date.
 Fate of NaEl Army
 Reports indicated the fate of Rommers army may depend upon the outcome of the ReZegh tank battle which was still in the bal- ance.
 German resistance was terrific, reports said, particularly as thc British pressed in from both sides of Q gap that varied from two to four miles between the British striking force and the British To- bruk garrison !n an effort to close the Nazl line of communications
 If the British can close this gap, the Axis tanks and troops to the east will be unable to replenish their dwindling supplies of gasoline and ammunition.
 Defeat in the battle would Vlr- tually wipe out German armored forces in Africa and leave only tTal. ian infantry divisions to withstand the British attack, That the Ger. mans are fully aware of their sltu- alton Is indicated by the statement of German prisoners that there or- ders are ito fight to the last man and the last bullet"
 MakeShlft Artillery
 In m attempt to overcome the advantage of superior nrmor plate on the British tanks, the Germans have thrown Into the fight make- shift mobile artillery. Stripping the armor from heavy tanks, they have mounted heavy cannon on the tank frames to increase the firepower of their panzer units.
 British officers claim these lum- bering guncarrierS are "eNsy meat" for their quick moving cruisers and light American tanks,
 British fighters carried out almost constant patrols over the battle field to keep the Germans from sending in dive bombers,
 A British military spokesman said, however, that both sides are repairing and putting damaged tanks back Into the fight through "eXtremely efficient recovery serv- Ices" He said the effectiveness of the rival repair services may tn no small measure determine the out. come of the battle, He said that one advantage of the American ka,,lro y,taa that flaU uyaPA hltilt with an eye to easy repairs.
 He said the Germans are fighting desperately to maintain their repu- tation for invlneibility and "the de- cision Is still In the lap of the Gods"
 Battle In Doubt
 London, Nov. 2b-(UP)-Author- itatIve British quarters admitted to- day that the outcome of the big battle in Libya is still entirely tn suspense"
 The spokesman said that most confusing, hard fighting Is going on In every direction"
 He said that the second phase of the battle which has as its aim the destruction of the eneircled Axis forces, has not reached & conclu- sion and there is still no indlce- ton of the outcome"
 The spokesman said press reports that the British have captured l6,- 900 Axis prisoners may be "an overA statement"
 "The armies have been engaged in the clash Of armored formations which Is not the sort of battle in which large numbers of prisoners are taken" he said.
 The spokesman said 1t was quite likely" that the Germans are bring Ing up endorsements by air and said 1t lis not impossible" that the British have captured Gialo oasis as reported by Rome.
 He said he had no information of any British generals being cap tured as Rome claimed. An informed source estimated that between $40 and 360 American tanks are participating in the bat tie Of Libya.