Evening star., 1942-09-01
Newest American
Bombers Go Into
Action in Egypt
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
LONDON, Sept. IAN 8-mile
German drive into the mine
fields on the southern flank OF
the Ell Alamein line in Egypt
trimming the Qattara Depression
was reported today in Reuters
dispatch from Cairo as new
United States Air Forces went
into action in what appeared to
be a developing major battle.
Fierce fighting has been raging
for more than "a hours, the Cairo
dispatch said.
The main attack. in the area of
Ell Himeimat, near the Qattara De-
preston, came after successful
night raid by New Zealanders and
a weak Italian attack which was re-
pulsed with heavy losses
Against another German thrust,
evidently seeking soft spot in the
center, the British were said to have
held firmly.
Although the Germans have pene-
trated through some of the many
minefields, it was pointed out that
these always are negotiable and are
intended to hinder rather than to
stop the enemy.
Axis Columns Bombarded.
The newest American medium
bombers on the North African
front-B-25s, like those which
bombed Tokio-went into their first
action with complete American air
crews in a bombardment of AXIS
transport columns, while supporting
American fighter pilots dispersed
unusually large German dive bomber
formations.
Arn1ored vanguards of perhaps
14l 900 Axis troops between Ell Ala
mein and Rengasi were said to be
locked with light British forces in
what may be the opening phase of
a struggle for mastery of the Nile
Valley, Suez and the whole Middle
and Near East
The Italian high command issued
Its shortest communique In months,
reporting aside from bombing oper-
ations only activity of advanced
units" and the taking of many
prisoners"
Although there was no official
word in London that the new assault
was the opening of new German
offensive. there was no doubt in un-
official but well-informed circles
that German Field Marshal Erwin
Rommel had begun a large-scale Of
fensive, synchronized with the great
battles in Southern Russia.
Four German divisions-the 18th
and 21st Armored Divisions of 1900
men and 200 tanks each, the Goth
Light Motorized Division of $4,000
men and the 164th Infantry Division
of 1900 men-were said to form the
spearhead of the Axis attack.
Parachute troops which arrived in
NorN Africa at the same time as
the 164th Division also are believed
to be attached to this force
Two Italian Divisions Used.
Two Italian armored divisions,
the Ariete and the Littorio of 5000
men and approximately $50 tanks
each, also supply some of the enemy
armor. There are six Italian in
fantry divisions of 10000 men each
In North Africa.
Some italian divisions, notably
the Pavia and Trento, were severely
mauled in fighting earlier this
summer and may not be at full
strength.
1t was the view of we'll informed
British military sources that Mar
shall Rommel began his offensive
earlier than expected because the
British rate of reinforcement had
been greater than his own despite
the long sea journey from the
United Kingdom.
Marshal Rommel's supply line,
however, has been constantly har-
ried by air attack. He is believed
to have resolved to attack before
further Allied reinforcements made
an assault impossible and his posi-
ton untenable
Prospects of checking Marshal
Rommel and communicating in
force appear good, although British
oficial comment is guarded.
In this battle Marshal Rommel
master of maneuver, is denied space
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