The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-25
BY LEON KAY

Cairo, June 70 - (U.fJ - AXIS mechaniEed columns smashed 55 miles into northern Egypt today but met stiH resistance by British mos bile units in the Sidi BarTani sec tor and furious aerial counter-at- 4acks by the Royal Air Force and American army bcgnbers.
 One Of the heaviest attacks Of the North African war was made by United States B-24 four-engine bombers (liberators) and the RAF against the main Axis supply base at Benghazl in an effort to break up tho enemy spearheads under Nazi Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
 Allied planes also battered the enemy columns that seized the frontier forts of Sollum, Sidi Omar, and Capuzzo and'pushed on to Sidi Barrani, 55 miles inside Egypt. These air attacks were designed to prevent encirclement of new British defense positions.
 Military sources said that fighting in which the Germans already have suffered "heavy" losses - was proceeding on 6 front swept by an extremely hot wind and occasional light sand storms, but that Rommel was throwing everything into the battle.
 The next 24 hours, 1t was said, should show whether Rommel in- tends to attempt a fianking move- 1nent around the Sidi Barrani and perhaps the Mersa Matruh sectors in hope of enveloping the British or whether he would attempt direct smash some 400 miles toward the Suez Canal.
 (The German radio broadcast claims that Allied Achievements, including @ United States mechan- ised division, were being rushed from Syria, 1raq and Iran to the Egyptian battle-ground but these re- ports lacked confirmation elsewhere and probably were Nazl propa- ganda effort to get information arom Allied sources in reply)
 CThe Italian communique said the Axis forces had taken Sidi Barrani Important point 55 miles east of the Egyptian border and that their forces also were operating south of that point.
 Three armored divisions, includ- ang those that captured Tobruk in 24 hours, spearheaded the Axis drive that quickly shattered the British forward defense line that was an- chored at Sollum, Capuzoo and Hell Fire Pass.
 Axis planes, roaring ahead of the mechanized ground forces, battered the Setreating British and sowed bombs on the important rail center Of Matruh.
 The occupation of Sidi Barrani had not been admitted officially, but it was stated that the British line had been pulled back to that area from the old defense sector which ran from Solluln, on the coast inside Libya, southwest 20 miles to Sidi Omar.
 No Rest For British
 Rommel,s relentless attack, gave the hard-pressed British under Lieut.. Gen. Neil M. Ritchie neither rest nor an opportunity to prepare new defense positions. The German supplies lines are stretched dan- gerously but Rommel holds all the frontier forts and stands nearer to the chief Axis goals in the middle east.
 The Suez is only 400 miles away and Alexandria, Britain's great naval base is approximately 250 miles from Sidi Barrari. The Axis forces based In Crete, including parachute troops, also are in po- sition to move against the British flank. With the coast ports in his hands, Rommel can shorten his supply routes, utilizing Greek ports as well as those of Italy.
 The drive has brought Axis forces back to the high point of the Ital- ian invasion in l940. The British said Rommel had suffered heavy losses in his lightning gains, but whether they could bring up rein- forcementS from other middle east sectors in time to halt him was not disclosed.
 The Germans and Italians are fighting at an exhaustive pace in probably the worst heat of the des- ert, but they are tough and experi- enced and Rommel is noted for his daring and unorthodox maneuvers.
 The advance threatens not only the Suez, but forms an arm of the pincers Adolf Hitler is seeking to close on the oil riches of the Cau- casus.
 British mobile forces of tanks and armored cars fought desperately to keep back the Axis spearheads aaA7 ANNt kA form openings for massed forma- kions, and 1t was asserted that heavy losses had been inflicted on the enemy.
 But by last night. it was admit ted, the Axis advanced units had reached a position southeast of Hidi Barrani.
 The communique which told the portentouS news that Rommel had started his biggest drive and was now within 250 and 400 miles of the British fleet base of Alexander and the Suez Canal, said in full:
 "Our mobile forces engaged the enemy all day yesterday and inflict- cd heavy losses on them.
 "The enemy's advanced elements had by last night reached a point southeast of Sidi Barrani. Our troops have been withdrawn from their positions at solum and Sidi Omar
 Net Ye Crumpled
 Grave as 1t was, the new did not mean necessarily that the British lire had been crlmpled. ft had been hinted that sGen. Nell M. Ritchie, commanding the British Sth army, might elect to make his big stand in Egypt, to the east of the hurTiedly organized frontier line.
 Bitins defense in western Egypt is based on Marsha Matruh, 140 s4a4faa Aaak fsP fla fwnaklaN e S,nlI