Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-15
Battle Reported
On Only IS Mi.
From Tobruk
British, German Tanks
Locked in Most Crucial
Campaign in Desert
BY GEORGE LAIT
IstT News Service staff Correspondent

CAIRO. June 15.-BritiSh and
German tank forces in Libya were
engaged today in the most crucial
battle of the desert campaign.
The fighting ragged into its third
day as German Field Marshal
Erwin Romnel. defeated in his
original attempt TO take the fort
ress of Tobruk. hurled in tank
reinforcementS from the west and
southeast.
The strong Axis thrust in the
triangular area formed by Acroma
in the north. Knightsbridge TO the
southwest and Fl Adem. 80 miles
below Tokruk, presented a grave
threat TO the British Eighth Army
but the imperial defenders were
reported holding firm.
FIGHT NEAR ToBRUK
i. Rommel appeared to be at.
tempting TO outflank the British
northern wing in fast moving
skirmishes which swirling dust
storms failed 10 halt.
At some points in the triangular
battle AREA fighting was reported
in progress only u TO IS miles
from Tobruk.
Axis forces held one position or
the Trigh-Capuzzo escarpment,
from where they lobbed shells in
the direction of Tobruk.
The German forces so far, how
ever. have been unable to inter
fere with Imperial transport
columns. and a steady stream of
supplies continue to pour into the
British-held stronghold of Knights
bridge, rs miles southwest of To-
bruk.
CONTROL NECESSARY
1t was learned. meanwhile, that
a detailed summary has been for
warded TO London and Washing
ton by experts in the field
pointing out the absolute neces-
xity of United Nations control in
the Middle East war theater.
The eight point memorandum
stresses that the Middle East is a
vital link to the Pacific and
European battlefronts as well as
an important channel for shipment
OF large quantities of American
supplies to Russia.
The summary points out that
With the Netherlands East Indies
in enemy hands, the Middle East
has the sole important oil fields
available to the United Nations
outside the United States.
The eight points included:
1-As long as the Middle East
remains in United Nations hands
it presents an invasion threat to
Italy and the Balkans, forcing
the Axis to hold six German
divisions in the Balkans and
three In Libya, while the Ital-
ians must keep eight divisions in
Libya. 81 in the Balkans and %
IN Italy.
SHIPMENTS BY AIR
a-United States shipments by
air across Africa are possible
only the Mluule East u neiu.
3-Control of the Middle East
secures the oil resources in the
Tigris and Euphrates basin and
the Persian Gulf amounting to
100000 tons annually.
4-Thc Middle East is one of
the United Nations two supply
lines TO Russia.
B-The area offers a base for
United Nations attack on Hit
ler's rear and the Rumanian oil
wells.
6-By holding the M ID d lie
East the Moslem world is pre-
vented from swinging into align
ment with the Axis.
7-American troops can be
landed in the Middle East with
out opposition and an AEF ad-
vancing from the Middle East
might be able to relieve pressure
on Soviet forces.
S-The Middle East remain
Ing In United Nations hands will
keep alive the hopes OF millions
Of people in occupied Europe
whose guerrilla tactics are en-
gaging large Axis forces.
Despondenf, fianos Himself