Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Axis Retreat in Libya
Turned Into a Rout,
British Report
Air Blows Ticking Heavy
Toll of Gen. RommeI's
Forces, Cairo Says
BY the Associated fress.

By the Associated rress.
The Axis retreat in Libya has
turned into rout, with imperial
forces chasing Gen. Erwin Rom
mels battered army and British
air blows taking a staggering new
toll of his remaining strength, the
British declared at Cairo today.
The chase has become SO fast, it
was said, that the Axis is Offering
virtually no resistance and the
British have been unable to make
contact with the enemy except at
one point in the Cirenaican high
lands.
Derna. on the coast. and Mekili.
40 miles south, we're entered yester-
dav. a communique announced, and
the British, pushing As miles farther
westward. now have come within 100
miles of Bengasi, the Axis impor-
tant advance supply port.
British naval aircraft, the r. A.
F.. announced, torpedoed two mer-
chantmen in convoy of four
freighters escorted by three Italian
destroyers and three cruisers. Both
torpedoed ships were brought to
stop and began to founder, it was
said.
Attacks by Il. A. F.
On land, the R. A. F. declared
that trucks, field guns, armored cars
and vehicles of all kinds were at
tackled by British fighters and bomb
ers on congested roads behind Mekili.
MANY. it said, were left in flames
and others put completely out Of
action.
The German radio broadcast
Nazi communicate announcing the
Axis forces repulsed British attacks,
but were withdrawing in Libya "ac-
cording to plan" The Rome radio
broadcast an Italian communique
that the Axis soldiers are meeting
Increasing British attacks with
valor.
The British said their airmen
subjected many columns Of the re-
treating enemy to severe bombing
and low-f1ying attacks.
Great havoc was caused TO
enemy mechanical transport on a
number of roads which were liter
ally packed with traffic the COM
munique said.
To summarize yesterdays opera
tons. our advance into the heart
of Cirenaica continued successfully
and relentless attacks by our air
forces on the retreating enemy,
coupled with continuous pressure by
our forward columns, succeeded in
keeping the enemy on the run
throughout the day"
The British radio, heard by c. B.
S.. reported that numerous further
prisoners were taken in Libya and
| that the Poles alone took more than
1000"
The British communicate said 40
destroyed planes were found at the
Derna airdrome.
II added that forward mechanical
patrols by afternoon had reached a
point Is miles west OF Giomanni
Berta. which is on the coastal road
20 miles west of Derna.
hI kllC SdlllC llilC OAl a. VI
patrols were making rapid Roadway
west of Mekili in pursuit of the en-
emy's main body" the communique
said
In the Libyan-Eeypt frontier zone
fighting was reported still underway
near Bardia and Halfaya tHellflre)
Pass, with Axis forces suffering
heavily from British artillery fire.
The italian high command said a
strong attack on Bardia was re-
pulsed,
Axis Bases Attacked.
British bombed Axis bases at Trip
oil and Bengasi, and German airmen
have repeatedly struck at the British
island base of Malta, the italian
| communique said.
A light British naval unit was
sunk, another was hit probably ia
tally and a large ship was damaged
by Italian naval vessels protecting q
convoy in the Mediterranean late
Wednesday, the italian high CON-
mand reported.
1
scathed. the Italians said
Indicating that the British hao
sought to prevent reinforcement and
supply of Axis forces in Libya, the
Rome communique said:
! During the night the enemy made
of towards his bases and our con.
voy arrived intact at its destina-
ton despite the enemy's attacks
against it."
The high command reported the
action took place not far north OF
the Gulf of Sirte, which forms a
pocket in the coastline of Contra
Libya.
Our naval squadrons cruising ir
the central Mediterranean while or
convoy escort encountered British
naval squadron of battleships, cruis-
ers and destroyers at dusk Decem-
Der H." the communique said. AFTER
a short burst of fire the enemy with
| drew in the darkness taking cover
in the mist.
Enemy destroyers attempted to
carry out a torpedo attack, which
was frustrated, however, by the fire
of our ships and a brilliant counter.
attack"