Evening star., 1942-11-09
Romme|'s Forces
Flee Into libyo
Under Heavy Fire
BY FRANK L. MARTIN,

CAIRO, Nov. 9.-RemnantS OF
Marshal Erwin Rommel's fleeing
Africa Corps shook loose from
the advancing British 9Th Army
today and plunged across the
Egyptian border into Libya in the
vicinity of Halfaya (Hellf1re)
Pass, despite a heavy American
and British air bombardment
which made that route nearly
impossible.
British advance forces which had
been making desperate effort to
catch the back-pedaling enemy
plunged into Libya only a few hours
behind the rear Axis troops.
The situation in Halfaya Pass at
the moment was described as con
fusing."
The British were in close pursuit
Of the tattered Germans and Ital-
ians and British and American
pilots were keeping up their re-
lentless pounding of the enemy.
Enemy Surrenders at Matruh.
While fighter formations ranged
ahead, knocking Axis vehicles into
flaming destruction, other fighters
hovered over the advance elements
closest to the Axis rear to provide
protection against Axis air attack.
The Germans and Italians, how
ever, still made no attempt to at
tack the Allies from the air.
Far behind, a small body of Axis
troops which halted to make a
stand near Matruh, was pummeled
into surrender by an Allied ar
mored force which dropped out of
the chase long enough to do this
task.
Moving past the westward bound
traffic yesterday we're truckloads of
prisoners going to the rear. Others
were walking because the number
OF captives far exceeded the capacity
OF available trucks.
Tedder Congratulates Maxwell.
Maj. Gen. Russell L. Maxwell,
commander of the United States
forces in the Middle East, received
congratulations today on the good
work of his men from Air Chief
Marshal Sir A. w. Tedder, Raj
commander in this theater.
please convey to the heavy bonn
bardment group my hearty congrat-
ulations on their good shooting and
valuable kills at Bengasi and To-
bruk," Marshal Tedder's message
said. "On my behalf and on behalf
OF the Raj in the Middle East I
offer my sincere congratulations on
the part the United States Air
Force played IN the current success
full operation. They have indeed
proved themselves to be comrades
IN arms and we are grateful and
proud to have them with U.S."
Among the prisoners taken at
Matruh was the commander of the
Italian Pavia division.
More Prisoners Taken.
The communique did not give the
number of captives taken yester-
day, merely reporting that many
more prisoners had been collected,
but earlier British reports said that
six entire Italian divisions-per-
haps 10000 men-had been captured,
along with complete equipment.
This would indicate, it was said,
that Rommel's strength had been
cut down to some 10000 men.
Despite the scope of Allied aerial
operations only four aircraft were
reported lost Saturday and Saturday
night. BY contrast Axis air losses
Saturday were put at "at least" IL
planes.
The six Italian divisions reported
captured in the southern reaches of
the Ell Alamein line after being
abandoned by their German COM
rades-in-arms were identified as the
Trento, Pavia, Bologna, Brescia,
Folgore and Trieste Divisions.
Also in British hands, these
sources said, were 500 of Rommel's
anti-tank guns, 300 field guns and
100 anti-aircraft guns.
AIue0 weapons Better.
Four main factors contributed to
the defeat of the Axis army-better
weapons and more Of them, larger
army, determined commander
with an efficient staff and complete
air superiority.
It was obvious to all on the scene
that the British would be able to
smash through the enemy defenses
after the second day of fighting
when 1t. Gen. B. L. Montgomery,
commander of the 9th Army,
brought out into the open his great
armored striking force.
There was only one thing to be
feared. If Rommel observed the
great weight being thrown against
him he might withdraw the majority
Of his force and Illustrate the British
commanders plan to destroy it.
Omcers and men alike prayed
that Rommel would not order a re-
treat. However, after "a hours of
(SoA rTsvpT pcro 10y