Evening star., 1942-07-18
NazisVeerSouthward in DonPu
As Reds Press Voronezh Attacks;
Axis Regains Ground in Egypt
British Fall Back
Before Z Romme|
Counteruttucks
e, the Associated Press.

e, the Associated Press
CAIRO, July 18.-British troops
on the northern sector of the El
Alamein front drove southwark
yesterday, but later were counter
attacked twice by Marshal Err
win Rommels Axis forces and
compelled to give up some of the
ground they gained, British
headquarters announced today.
On the central front, where New
Zealand troops were holding the
eastern end of the Ruweisat Ridge.
an attack by motorized infantry was
repulsed, the British communique
said. There also was activity on the
southern end of the 40-mile British
line about IS miles west OF Alexan-
dria
Air activity was intense over the
battle front, especially in the central
sector, and British fighters shot
down five Axis aircraft.
Violent Explosions.
Light British bombers ranged over
the central sector of the front, at
tacking transport vehicles and tanks
and violent explosions were caused
In raid on the Axis supply port
at Tobruk, Allied heavy bombers hit
large ship and tanker in the
harbor and started a fire in the dock
storage area which was spreading as
the bombers withdrew from the
former British stronghold.
American bombers participated In
this raid and also attacked small
ships in the Gulf Of Bomba, which i.
an old Italian seaplane base.
Over Malta, the communique re-
ported, British fighters shot down
four Messerschmitt fighters without
loss to themselves. The total Allied
losses In the African theater yester-
day were seven planes. with two OF
the pilots reported safe, the COM
munique sadi.
Heavy Axis Losses.
Before retaking some ground. the
Axis forces were reported to have
suffered heavy losses in two unsuc-
cessful counterattacks in the last
36 hours on the central and south
central sections of the desert front.
The New Zealanders holding the
Ruweisat. Ridge blunted the first
Axis blow.
Marshal Rommel then sent his In
fantry against ridge south Of the
central battle-ground, but the attack
was beaten of by Indian troops.
Fighting was heavy and bitter on
the central sector, while the tough
Australians anchored the northern
terminus of the line on the lower
ridge Of the Hill of Jesus, 10 miles
west OF Ell Alamein.
1n London, Reuters quoted the
official Italian news agency,
Stefani, rs saying the British
had succeeded in penetrating a
vast space" separating the Axis
defenses and spreading out in
the rearo
Parallels Coast.
The Ruweisat Ridge where Mar
shall Rommel is concentrating his
main force lies some 10 miles south
OF the coast which 1t parallels for
about 7 miles. Rommel was re-
ported holding the western end of
the ridge and seeking to push the
British from the eastern end, which
they took in a 7-mile advance We'd
nesday.
Although Gen. Sir Claude Achin-
lecks troops were reported yester-
day to have gained some ground on
the extreme southern end of the line
near the Qattara depression, the
main striking forces of the two
armies faced each other in the
center and it was here that the de-
cision was expected.
The dominating situation of
Ruweisat Ridge gives its possessor a
strong advantage in the desert
struggle.
The British have thrown a new
offensive weapon into the battle-a
number of improved 28-ton General
Lee tanks carrying 75-mm. guns in
revolving turrets. The General Lees,
streamlined TO defect Axis shells,
wear fresh battle paint applied in
United States factories.