THE DEFENCES OF BARDIA,

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 70, 3 January 1941, Page 5

THE DEFENCES OF BARDIA,

START OF ASSAULT REPORTED

LAND CONTACT CUT OFF

(United Press Association— -Copyright) (Received This Day, 2.0 a.m.) LONDON, January 2.

Reports from several reliable quarters indicate that the Army of the Nile’s assault' on Bardia has begun, after careful preparations extending over 15 days. It is believed that the British artillery and intense naval barrage in propartition for * the assault reached i s climax yesterday. * The Rome radio suggests that the battle is already joined. It adds: “Our troops faced the British artillery fire and aerial bombing with great courage. We suffered some losses, but we cannot yet accurately give the battle’s developments.” • Reports from the front indicate that. British raids inside Bardia’s outer defences are growing more daring as artillery tears gaps in the barbed-wire defences. An Italian communique admitted two raids and claimed that they weie ie.peHed. . , In addition to continuous patrols oi the outer defences, the British have occupied a position on the coast about 15 miles to the north-west, completely cutting off the garrison’s land contact;, with the forces to the west. The: Royal Air Force continues to operate on a far greater scale than the communiques reveal, incessantly reconnoitring, spotting for artillery, ajid watching for troop movements. The heavy land and naval bombaidment of Bardia was augmented on Tuesday by concentrated attacks by British bombers. Troops, motor transport, and stores inside the fortifications were heavily attacked.

The first hatch of Italian prisoners from the Western Desert has arrived in Bombay for transport to camps :n central India. The total comprises four generals, 300 officers and 627 men.