London, June 18, MGHTING in the Western Desert is developing on a growing scale in the battle raging between Imperial troops and German and Italian forces in the Sollum and Fort Capuzzo areas, with both sides bringing up heavy reinforcements, it is learned here.
The main fighting appears to be between tanks, it is stated, with little infantry activity in evidence.
Reuters Special Correspondent with tke British advanced forces tells of extensive operations by the RAS. with hair-raising dog fights between British fighters and" Messerschmitts, while on the ground British artillery Continues to pound enemy positions, The correspondent adds that he saw two Messersehmitts shot down, 'A message from a British observer states that there" jg. almost con~ stant action between the LAP. and the Luftwaffe. "Several of the enemy have been shot down already, and have seen Messerschmitts hunting to the earth, throwing up great columns of sand dnd smoke as they hit the round," he declares, Heavy attacks by the RAF, on the Italian base of Benghazi and aerodromes at Demo, Gazala and Martuba are sise reported, An official German account states: "The Sollum battle is raging with undiminished ferocity, German and Tlalian forces not yielding an inc despite the strong British offensive. Fighting a¢ Halfaya Pass is reported to be particularly heavy,—Reuler,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.