1n the Western Desert, the focus of fighting now centres around the frontier and though few German parties are still on the Egyptian side of the frontier. the main fighting occurred between the frontier-wire and Capuzzo, one mile and a half on the Mahan side. The fighting is not a big offensive. but fluid mobile warfare, and it is emphasized that the actual battle-ground matters little provided the British make the enemy lose men and machines. British columns are succeeding in this, taking prisoners and putting machines out of action.
Prisoners taken are mostly mechanized infantry and tank crews, many of whom were captured afoot after their vehicles had been smashed up by British fire.
At Tobruk, the British counterattack must have been an unpleasant reminder to the enemy of the pre nce behind him of this big fortress.
Steady fighting continues around Amba Alagi (Abyssinia), where the Italians have a position like Keren with a road rising 10.000 fect, hairpin bends and sheer drops making road obstruction easy. It is a strong position, and stubborn fighting is in progress for tie heights. with the British taking prisoner deserters every day. The fate of Amba Alagl, with its Italian force of 10000 to 15.000 men, is virtually sealed. and there then remain only the outposts of Gendar and Jimma and a concentration near Jimma.
But with the fall of Amba Alagi, the main Addis Ababa-Asmara road would be cleared and it would be possible to control the entire country. leaving scattered Italian detachments to be mopped up in due course.
In the south, the British advance continues despite rain, ind the troops have progressed 12 miles in the last few days.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.