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Two enemy motorised columns are said to be on the move east - both largely composed by Italians. Their most southerly point of entry is believed to be about twenty miles from the coast. This hardly indicates the wideflung enveloping movement which would probably mark the real attack. British and German communiqués last night each claimed that the other party attacked in the Sollum area. There is no reason to disbelieve either claim. It is probable that skirmishes on a considerable scale are being carried out by both sides without the main forces of the opposing armies coming into contact.
 Repulsed According to the Germans, British armoured forces attacked in the direction of Fort Capuzzo and Sollum, and were repulsed in a counter-attack supported by aircraft. General Wavell's communiqué said that our light mobile forces remain in contact with the enemy, harassing their advance. The German thrusts are probably tactical moves by General Rommel to take up new positions in the desert preparatory to an attempt at full-scale invasion. The fact that we do not claim to have repulsed them does not mean that we were unable to do so. In that vast desert it matters little whether the enemy occupy this point or that. What is important is that they should not be allowed to concentrate at advanced points. So long as they are being continually harried by our light tanks and warplanes, they will no be able to do that. The fact remains, however, that the day of the big battle in the desert is probably very near. Hitler does not waste time, and with the Greek campaign practically over he will strike elsewhere almost at once.
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