1950-11-20 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL MONDAY, NOVEMBI

"THE HINGE OF FATE" CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ATTACKS-OUR

ROMMEL

SETBACKS

A communique from 'Gen, Auchinleck dated June 1, 1942, announced the Afrika Corps had at- Lacked on May 26, Örst 25- multing our position south without much of Gamla -effect. -

arts

From May 28 to May 30 there had been heavy fight- Ing

wido over a stretching from Acromm to the north to Bir flakelm 40 miles to the south, and from Ei Adem to our mine- folds 30 miles to the west- word

These minefielda had been breached in two places general line of on the Trish Capuzzo and at

miles south point ten this. On May 31 the enemy Itad withdrawn.

of

IN

AFRICA

the British fought to the last us, there was still a month in his too extensive responsibill- General Auchinleck to round of ammunition.

For us all now turned breaking into the

and

good

de-

Minister.

Line, but that the of

he

Prime

enemy

tend that Eighth Army should Better On Paper

In Tobruk, be besieged have no intention' whatever of giving up Tobruk. orders to General

are:

of

occasion

of

My On this we rested with con-

tho upon Ritchie Adence based

perience of the previous year. Moreover, our position, as Gen. out, (a) to deny general line Auchinleck had pointed

Acroma El-Adem-El Gubi appeared on paper much bet lo the enemy:

ter than in 1941. We had an (b) not to allow his forces ermy deployed in a forted

proximity

con- to be invested in Tobruk: front, in close (c) to attack and harass the, Tobruk, with the newly

direct ructed

broad-gauge enemy whatever offers.

custalning it. We were formed to a flank communications

CX-

to

Tobruk even if use Gambut

bo landing-grounds, should 15 June, *42: hand for a second choice. This ties. He thought of the battle,

temporarily denied to us. It A strategic on which all in his work

seems to me that to Invert on process of having

his Have ordered General Ritchie

Tobruk and tą mask our bridgehead, reserve, however limited, with pended, only as a part of

the to deny to the enemy gen-

in the frontier posl- forces at Geo as, despite the heavy air

at our disposal task. There was always

eral line Acroma-El Adem- aca mobility

to the north,

El Gubi. This does not mean tions the enemy would need tacks to which his line of was one to which I was great- danger from

or should bu that this can

more troops than our infor being ly attached. I hastened to tell which he felt it his duty to at- communication was

have. mation shows him to tach an importance, to which

held as a continuous forlifed constantly

it was General Auchinleck the subjected,

wo at home in a better posi-

encity 15

This being so, we should be only a

a question of time before news.

ton to judge no longer sub-

able to prevent the area be- the enemy would be sufficient- On the 10th an estimate

not to be allowed to establish

To- tween the frontier and scribed. to burst forth our casualties renched us, The

himself cast of it. The two ly recovered

The arrangement which

divisions from Gazala position

bruk passing under from it again. Days slipped by figures of tanks, guns and air-

to help in will be available to

control. considering alternative craft were satisfactory and also made was a compromise. He in

this. Although I do not in- plans, and it was not till June precise. I was naturally struck left the Oghting of the declaive Ritchie, who 4 that the effort was made.

own battle to Gen. the statement: "Our by It was

a costly failure,

are esti- had been his Chief of Staff. in losses in personnei

at At the same time be kept this Indian infantry mate which

mated very approximately an

some 8,000 officer under strict supervision, brigade and four rogiments of 10,000, of whom feld artillery were overwhelm- may be prisoners, but casual sending him continuous In- after ed through Jack of support lies of the 6th Indian Division structions. It was only mimonegement. General not accurately known." This the disaster had

by the Auchinlock has rightly

led extraordinary disproportion be- he was induced, largely at-

Minister of the this "the turning point of the tween killed and wounded on urgings

should whole battle." We had missed the one hand and prisoners State, to do what he

that have done from the beginning hencolorward on the other revealed our chance, and Kommel held the Initiative, something must have happen- and take over the direct com Punching Ritchie's army when cd of an unpleasant character. mand of the battle himself. and whero he willed.

It is to this that I ascribe It showed also that the Cairo

personal failure, some in impor- his his

Soon the enemy armour sal- Headquarters were

unable to mea- the blame for which undoubt- further led from the bridgehead and tant respects

Jeagues for the unduly essential renewed its attacks. The Fre sure the event. I did not dwell edly falls on me and my col.

from the in my reply. French were evacuated

responsibilities assigned a year a very fine

before to the Middle East Com- Phase

mand. Still, we had done vur these to free him from best With replenished forces and undue burdens by precise, up-

of movement to-late and a new freedom

runted him by the capture of vicc, which he rejected, Per- Bir Hakeim Rommet now sonally I believe that if he had hroke out with his armour to taken command from the out attack us from the south. Our set and left deputy in Cairo, flank had been turned, and at as was fully in his power, to him to defend Tobruk. To mense difficulties of supply, the extreme northern end

of keep

eye on the north and make sure I sent the following that all would be well. We did Committee the line the 1st South African discharge the mass of varied

know the condi however, telegram: rest he be sure of the arrival of and with the Chiefs of Staff and the remaining brigades of business belonging to the

tions prevailing in Tobruk. over Prime Minister to General

Considering that Auchinleck's his supply convoys.

we now took an important de- the 50th Division, still in their ef the immense theatre

might Auchinleck. 15 June, 42. plan had been to await an at- cision. Just as six months car- original positions, were in dan- which he presided he During the first week of

wall have won the battle, and

and remembering all the ller I had arranged with the ger of being cut off. June the battle was therefore President for American trans Throughout June 12 and 13 certainly when late in the day We are glad to have your as- tnckths that had passed, It was

surance that you have

aiready focused on these two points, ports to carry two

Inconceivable that the divisions a fierce battle was fought for he took command he

intention of giving up TO- FICUS

fortifications of well-proved Bir Halooim and the bridge round the Cape, and these had possession of the ridges

that what was left of it.

bruk. War Cabinet interpret Tobruk should not have been head. Within that bridgehead

certain amount us a given

and of le between El Adem was the 150th Brigade of the manoeuvring power when

your telegram to mean that. the the Knightsbridge. This was

General maintained in the highest em- if the need arises, 50th Division. Rommel was

and indeed strengthen- Pearl

ciency, Japanese attucked at

culmination of the tank bat-

Ritchie would leave as many ed. For the defensive battio dire need of supplies and Harbour, so now we had

ade; at its close the enemy were

are cu.

had resolved water. If the whole battle were second two divisions [the 44th masters of the field, and our

upon which he not to be lost he must elimi- and 8th Armoured] rounding own armour gravely

the fortress and cally-port reduced.

Tobruk was an invaluable fac- nate the brigade so that his 0.8 Cope about whose destina- Knigh

the: focus Knightsbridge,

tor of insurance. was tion we had highly convenient communications in that neleh Your decision to fight it out 10

order to strength for a effort it was

renew

for Rommel to hold the Bir Hakeim after bridgchead which covered defence, and the next the two gaps he had made the battle began, but in worac the first; in our minefield. So long as circumstances than

whole-hearted Bir Hakeim, strongly de- nor could the

efforts of the Royal Air Force fended by the 1st Free prevent the collapse that fol- French Brigade against lowed. constant land and air at- tack, held firm, only through those gaps could

in

Good News

On the Defence

Fierce Battle

convoys might pass. It set upon and destroyed

on options. We now decided after bourhood, had to be evacuated, June 1. This is Rommel's ae earnest thought to send them after a stubborn defence by count in his own words:

to Egypt for the Desert battle, the Guards Brigade, supported

Of course if the German-

Russian by the 2nd Regiment of Royal the

the Caspian- Horse Artillery. Only by im-. their front broke in fought

arca, and

the against the Caucasus

even mediate withdrawal were

and rosistance greater emergencies fell

upon 1st South African

50th Imaginable. The British de-

Yard by yord

units

Italian

way forward

toughest British

fence was conducted with Rommet, considerable skill. As usual

by Dosmond

Young.

p. 207.

DIVORCE M.P. GIVES HIMSELF AWAY

In other words, I found him Lunan-Common --- with the vanity which makes his bomb bigger than anyone else's, vath the impetuosity which forces him cometimes into making a 1001 of himself, with the for hero - worship They will find, from it, that capacity M.P.9 have ordinary failings which makes him "adore" Mr and ordinary virtues, that the Churchill, with the instinct for regulars in the smoking room right

by J. P. W. MALLALIBU, M.P.

But, on reading "Independent OME people think that

that A.PH. M.P.s are all rogues Member," I and

as embarrassed by that who are "in It for

gesture as I was--he wondered what they can get." Others how on earth, with dignity, he could retrieve his precious think of us as saints.

Both sets should read Ell "Independent Member" which is A. P. Herbert's of his 14 years' account membership of the House of Commons.

are not

much different

or wrong which makes from him at times enthusiastic, and

the regulars in the Doves, or at times speechless.

King's Arms

Don't take too much notice

of the word "Independent" in

And, moreover, I found him

R man with the honest-to-

the title. An Independent" goodness blas which allows him.

M.P, is one who does not have

to see

solely

the 1945 Porllament

03 something which

to bother to attend the House wrote slogans on lavatory walls, except when there is something

AP.H., in fact, is no more which especially interests him. Independent" than I am, Не He can have fun without is governed by emotion, ensi- responsibility. But he can do bilty, and prejudice. Like you good off his own bat,

Funster

or me.

His book is a personal re- cord. As such it cannot be a HERBERT did more than or complete picture of the House

diary: good. His Marriage af Commons. It is not Oven

Bill

of a ·back-

mada happiness possible complete picture for many men and women who bencher's life In that House, sosmed to have lost, the chance since there is no hint in it of of happiness. More perhaps, the back-bencher's all-out con- than any individual he centred rumlog passion for office. attention on our existing bot-Yet it is the most vivid. ac- ting and

count of an MP's life I have!

But,

all that

when:

I bo- tead.

my

myscir

I know!

classifying PH as a moro

Sorry, A.P.H.

stunt merchan amberlain" od- L Commons'

he funster AND from it the House at

ΑΝ

rightly emerges

whom Naville

it in Punch."! as an old lady who woll re-

vised 10-alimedia, that' view members what her grandd

I was when, is the early, dara, of the mollier, used to do, but who 194911Focusing, BY ADH, does not expect her own grand- dramaticall, ikrow * sheat of children to do the RIDE. his carefully, prepared Billa on I think she found PH the hoor of the House as a pro- naughty but: dellah thit verande fests 1 Den Governmäentia putuʻchild,” and awwa sorry la 1014

wide

no longer propose to build with our up strong as possible reserve largely dependent on the sea, Meanwhile I

In Sollum-Maddalena A but according to the orthodox with object of launching H

of

running principics counter-offensive soon as pos- back at right-angles from the sible......

centre of our front to our main L.usc.

Tobruk Defence superseding

ad-

saved

Retreat Fatal

Minister to General

Prime

Auchinleck.

war,

In these circumstances, though grieved by what

had

We were not satisfied with happened, I still felt from a the orders to General Ritchie, survey of all the forces on both which did not positively require sides, and of Rommel's

no

at

14 June, 42.

in troops

Tobruk necessary to held the for certain.

place

the end-most cordially en-

The reply left no doubt. dorsed. We shall sustain you General Auchinleck to Prime whatever the result. Retreat

Minister.

16 June, 42. would be fatal. This is a War Cabinet Interpretation is Is General Ritchie business not only of armour

correct. putting into Tobrukt what he but of will-power. God bless you all.

considers an adequate force

glared Divisions saved from destruc- Irnmediately Tobruk tion; they accomplished it suc- upon us, and as in the previous small year we had no doubt that it cessfully, thanks in no

at all cost. degree to the protection given should be held overhead by the Royal

Air Now also, after a month's need-

less Force.

delay. General Auchinleck

Zealand ordered up the New Division from Syria, but not in time for it to take part in the battle for Tobruk.

Adverse Turn

General Minister to Auchinleck. 14 June, 42.

By the 14th it became clear Prime that the battle had taken n

heavy adverse turn. Oliver To what position docs Ritchie

Lyttelton sent me a telegram which emphasised the Service about His remark messages. the advantages of Auchinleck command 07 taking personal

the Desert battle confirmed my own feelings which I had ex- pressed to the General a month before. The Commander-in- Chief of the Middle East was embarrassed and hampered by

want to withdraw the Gaza- la troops? Presume there is of no question in any case - giving up Tobrukt. As long as Tobruk is held no serious Egypt enemy advance into

Do you

1s possible. We went through all this in April, 1941.

what not understand mean by withdrawing to "old frontier"

The Government must fix things so that the cost of living, doesn't go up... - ...the need for drastic action,etc.

where is the foresight, etc..etc.).....

Significance

Woo

im-

.

of

NOTICE

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

T

For general information the Bults governing Spedal Cash Sweeps on the Pearce Memorial Cup, the .Hong Kong Derby and the Hwangtung Handicap are

quoted below:-

1.

2.

3.

4.

·

5.

0.

7.

B.

0.

Prizes shall be paid on the winning and placed ponies zo declared by the Stewards when the "All clear" is given, and no ticket holder shall be entitled to receive a prize on that race notwithstanding that by a docision of the Stowards, or otherwise, any other horse shall be declared to be the winner or to have been placed or whatever may afterwards result, any rule of law or rule of rating ột ! any nature or kind to the contrary notwithstanding wi The sale of tickets will cease at such time as determined! by the Stewards.

The Stowards reserve the right to refuse any subscription, also the right to remove any namo from subscription lists without stating reasons for their action.

25% of the Total Sweepstakes will be deducted to cover Government Betting Tax, and then 28% Commisalon tb the Club. The Balance, after deduction of 40% as Prices to ticket-holders of unplaced ponies which are qualifed to enter for the: nee whether starters or not, will be divided as follows-

1st Prize..70% 2nd Prize..20% 3rd Prize..70% A sweep number, after drawing a pony, is entitled to oŋje. prize only per race, and subsequently will be deomed cancelled for the remainder of that draw.

11

In the event of a Walk-over, the total of the Sweep, less Tax, Commission, and Prizes to ticket-holders of unplacea panies which are qualified to enter for the race whether starters or But, will be paid to the ticket-holder of the pony Walking-over.

In the event of only TWO ponics starting and completing the Course, the total of the Sweep, was Tax, Commission, and Prizes to tickot-holders of unplaced ponlen which ore qualified to enter for the race whether starters or not, will be divided as follows:------

25% 1st Prize....

70%

2nd Prize.. In the event of only ONE pony completing the Course in a field of 2 or more, the total of the Sweep, less Tax, Commission and Prizes to the ticket-holders of unplaced ponies which are quailfod fo enter for the race whether starters or not, will be paid to the ticket-holder of that pony.

In the event of only TWO ponies completing the Course in a field of 3 or more, the total of the Sweep, less Tax, Commission and Prizes to the ticket holders of unplaced ponies which are qualified to enter for the race whether starters or not, will be divided as follows:

75%

2nd Prize

s

26%

1st Prize In the event of a Dead Heat between two ponies for the First place, the amounts of the First and Second Prizes shall be added together and divided between the ticket holders of the two ponits in equal shares,

In the event of a Dead Heat between two ponics for the Second place, the amounter of the Second and Third Prizes shall be added together and divided between the ticket- holders of the two ponies in equal shares,

In the event of a Dead Heat between two ponles for! Third place, the amount of the Third Prize, shall be divided between the tickel-holders of the two ponies in equal shares,

Subject to Rules 1, 8 and prizes will be paid to the person who produces the requisite winning ticket. No right of payment to a prize can be recognised except the right conferred by the production of the requisito ticket: Winning tickets must be produced and endorsed by the holder before any payment can be made, in any event, payment will not be made; earlier than one week of the date of the race. -

Winning tickets not presented within SIX MONTHS from the date of the Race Meeting for which they are issued will be considered null and vold, and all un- claimed or uncollected prizes on such. tickets wil revert to the Race Fund. after the above period of SIX MONTHS, has elapsed..

The Stewards reserve the right to cancel any or all Sweep tickets after they are Issued, and in such cases the cost of Sweep tickets will be refunded on presentation under the terms of Rule 7.

11. Special Cash Sweeps shall mean such Sweeps which the

Stewards shall from time to time dotermine. N 12. These Rules are subject to alteration and amendment

without notice..

Any misunderstanding or dispute must be referred to the Stewards in charge of Cash Sweeps.

in

13.

14.

The decision of the Stewards la charge shall be FINAL

By Order of the Stowards,

S. A. SLEAP

Secretary.

Hong Kong, 22nd May, 1949. ..

Finally the word"temporari- ly," as applied to the defence to hold it even should it be of Tobruk, had a significance come temporarily isolated by which was not appreciated

of garricon Landen, Our intention, which enemy. Basiz

with we thought the Commander-in- four brigade groups,

that adequate stocks of ammuni- Chief fully shared, tion, food, fuel and water. Tobruk should once again be held as an isolated fortress if future Basis of immediate action by Eighth Army is to the main battle went against hold El Adem fortified ores us, and that the Eighth Army and should fail back along its main as pivot of manoeuvre

mobile line of communication to the to use all available

This Mersa Matruh position. forces to prevent enemy ca- tablishing himself east of El would have left Rommel with Adem or Tobruk. Very de- Tobruk still on his dank, hay- anite orders to this effect ing to be invested or masked, have been issued to General and with his own communica

and ever lengthening Ritchie, and I trust he will Blons

effect to be able to give

ever more strained,

them.

World Copyright reserved. to duction, even partially, Position is quite different

we, and not language. strictly prohibited. last year, as

hold fortified now enemy positions on frontler, and can operate fighter aircraft over

Repro-

120

ang

(MORE TOMORROW)

The Government must cut down controls....

curse of Whitehail interference, dic...........

stop this planning, nonsense, de, etc... • let nature Take its course, etc., ETC., ETC.......

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY - CLUB

NOTICE TO MEMBERS

TWELFTH RACE MEETING Saturday, 2nd December, 1950.

There are eight races.. The First Bell will be rung at 1.30 pan, and the First Race will be run at 2.00 pm.

Through Tickets (6 Faces $10.00) may be obtained at the Compradora Ofce of the Treasurers, 1st floor, Telephone House, also tickets for the Cash Sweep on the last race of the Meeting as well as the Special Cash Sweep on the "Pearce Memorial Cup” scheduled to be run on 28 Febrúary, 3951.

To avoid congestion at the Club's Offices at Telephone House, non-members are requested to purchase their sweep tickets vi the Club's Branch Offices at :—

6. D'Aguller Street, Hong Kong

or

303, Nathan Road, Kowloon, MEMBERS' BADGES AND ENCLOSURE

Members and guests are reminded that they and their ladies MUST wear their badges prominently displayed throughout the Mooting..

NO ONE WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE.

Badges admitting ladies not in possession of Brooches or Season tickets and gentlemen, non-member of the Club, to the Members Enclosure and Club Rooms at $20.00 including tax, for todles or gentlemen are obláinable through, the Secretary on the written or personal introduction, of a member, such member to be responsible for all visitors introduced by him, and for payment of all chits etc.

Badges admitting to Members", Enclosure will NOT be on salo at the RACE COURSES. A

The Branch Offices and the Tronsurers' Compradore Onco will close at 11.00 am, and tho decretary's Offico at 11.45 am. The. Treasurers' Comprodore Office and the Secretary's Offico are situated at 1st Floor, Telephone Hous

A limited number of tiffan will bo obtainable at the Club House provided they are ordered in advance from the No. 1 Boy (Tel. 27818).

NO CHILDREN WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE CLUB'S PREMISES DURING THE MEETING.

PUBLIC ENCLOSURE

The price of admission to the Public. Enclosure is '98.00 including tax for all persons including ladies, and is payablo at- the Gate...

BOOKMAKERS, „TIC TAC MEN ETC, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO OPERATE WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE, HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DURING THE RACE MEETING,

·MEALS AND REFRESHMENTAR WILL BE-ODTAINABL10 IN THE RESTAURANT IN THE PUBLIC ENCLOSURE,

SERVANTS PASSES

Stevonte' panies wiIX bo fund to priynte boot béldary only who are requested to distribyjska tema "with disorientation and to endorso their rininen ca“the pores, HolanS OF SUCH Bob postmitted in the Monoma Koelosiare- cxcept through on their dution, and must remain 122 Kon