EVE OF EVENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 6

EVE OF EVENTS.

IN THE MIDDLE EASt ZONE. THE ARMY REORGANISED.

LONDON, October 7

With the season lor operations in North Africa fast approaching, the Allied foi’ces are facing a renewal of the campaign, with the Army organisation at a high pitch of efficiency and almost complete air mastery over the Mediterranean. All reports indicate that the Allies are on the eve of big events in the Libyan desert.

General Headquarters at Cairo —a gigantic affair occupying block after block, and forming a city in itself—has become more active.

Every branch of the British war machine has been strengthened. The Royal Air Force’s power is growing, and aircraft are being used to strike at enemy troops and supplies being brought up for the new campaigning season.

The British air staff ; according to the “Daily Herald’s” war correspondent, believes that the Russian campaign has proved such a strain on the Luftwaffe that Hitler is hundreds of aircraft short in North Africa.

The Istanbul correspondent of the “Times” says that the British strength in the Middle East is-bringing prominently before the Turks the question of whether the Italian and German forces in Libya would be able to withstand a Brit ish attack, and how Germany could further assist Italy. Because the Russian campaign is extending beyond Germany’s time estimate, it is doubtful whether the Germans are in a position to send to Libya more land and {air forces than those already tTiove and in Crete. The only alternative is the creation of a diversion, which might relieve the British pressure against Libya. Evidently the Caucasus is the first place chosen for such a diversion, and the fact that Italians are fighting in the Ukraine is interpreted* ns being more than symbolical participation in war against Communism—the Italians are trying to help their comrades in Libya.

Another possible diversion might ho a drive toward North Africa across Spain, but there are no indications at present pointing to that possibility, adds the correspondent.