ITALY'S CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 196, 19 August 1940, Page 7

ITALY'S CLAIM.

ENCIRCLEMENT MOVE.

"Culminating Point" In Somaliland Campaign.

United Press Association.— Copyright.

(Reed, noon.)

LOXDOX, Aug. 18.

A fioine communique stated yesterday: "Friday's fierce day of bloody battle for the conquest of British Somaliland marked the culminating point of the campaign. The enemy is retreating all along the front."

The Italian High Command announced: "The British defence system in Somaliland has fallen after an encirclement action on the two wings."

The War Office in London yesterday was unable to give any information regarding the operations in Somaliland.

A Rome communique says an Italian column occupied Bu'lhar and another is within range of Lafaruk. A large detachment of Indian troops fled to Mandera after a fight with Italian scouting units, this report alleges. One 'plane did not return from the raid on Berbera.

The Rome radio stated: "The vast British colony of Somaliland will be added to Italy's possessions in a few days. British control of the entrance to the Red Sea will have become a thing of the past."

The Rome newspaper "H Giornale d'ltalia" says: "The conquest of British Somalilan'l will give Italy the chance of freeing a vast "front and will bring nearer the Italian threat to the vital base at Aden. It will give Italy new economic resources in Soinalilaiid including 0,000,000 head of cattle. It will enormously impress the populations bordering on the Red Sea, who are aware of Britain's decline, and will encourage Arab movements hostile to Britain."

A communique issued in Rome said: "In British Somaliland, the battle which began on August 11 against the bulk of the enemy forces at Jerato Pass, in the Adadleh zone, is won.

"Italian aviation, as always, took part in the battle by direct co-operation, tombing and machine-gunning enemy positions, and by longer flights in which •heavy blows were struck on warships and transports anchored at Berbera. Meanwhile, the British ineffectively bombed the aviation base at Assab and dwelling places at Jigjiga.

"The action, which has taken us to Berbera, continues inflexibly for the conquest of the eecond fortified line, to which the enemy troops are falling back, with out troops on their heels."

A Cairo communique states: "In the Kurmuk area. Sudanese police routed an enemy patrol of 15 strong, killing seven. Patrols report that the enemy has withdrawn from Fort Capuzzo. There is nothing to report on other fronts, which are quiet."

MARATHON MARCH.

AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY.

(Reed. 11 a.m.)

SYDNEY', this day

Two contingents of Australian infantrymen who started on Thursday to march from Ingleburn camp to Bathurst, 130 miles, have reached Katoomba. A third contingent began a long trek on Saturday.

Altogether 4000 nien are on the road. They are enjoying the experience of being feted everywhere along the Blue Mountain road.

NAZI RADIO CLAIM.

RIOTS AGAINST HERRIOT

(Heed. 2 p.m.)

LONDON, Aug. is

The German radio reports street demontstration in Lyons against M. Herriot. It says that after the publication of a new law against Freemasons and secret societies, M. Herriot'e position became •omewh*t delicate.