ITALIAN PLANS WENT ASTRAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 304, 23 December 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN PLANS WENT ASTRAY.

DESERT ATTACK. British Launched Offensive Before Enemy. United Trees Association. —Copyright, (Reod. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. Graziani, the Italian commander in Libya, rejxirting to Mussolini on the desert battle, concludes: "It is premature to make any predictions as to the outcome of this titanic battle." He said a number of Italian detachments had been wiped out completely, defending Sidi Barrani and elsewhere. Ho emphasised that the British attack was no surprise, but British superiority in armoured units forced an orderly Italian retreat.

Stressing the importance of British air and naval forcee, he said Italian air action had 'been hindered by sandstorms. He claimed that at least 42 British plane* have been shot down.

©raziani revealed that the British attack occurred a few days before the scheduled date for an Italian attack on Mersa Mai mil.

The British forces have completely surrounded fiardia, and are preparing for the final assault.

The Italian rearguard at Barditi is still residing, but British troops are now £1 stride the main Bardia-Tobruk road, while ginu command the remaining coastal road along which Italians are still escaping.

It is believed the occupation of the port cannot he long delayed. There was a very clear indication that the evacuation by the Italians was nearly complete when British bomliere tpaid their usual vit%it to Bardia on Friday night, and did not encounter anti-air-craft fire. The pilots saw a ship blazing in the harbour. Defences on Cliff-Top. Reports from the desert yesterday stated that British forces comprising an inner circle of mobile units, with infantry and guns in support, surround the entire area of Bardia with a perimeter of about I<"> miles running round the top of a high cliiT with Bardia below. The main defences, and also the bulk of the enemy forces, are situated on the top of the <-liflf inside fairly forniiiUible fortifications, including a large number of strong points in which are machinegun nests, concrete pillboxes, land mines and other concealed defences. These naturally call fur a certain amount of care, but the British are not hurrying, because the Italians are undoubtedly securely bottled up. The size of the garrison is not known for certain, but the British are still convinced there is no hope of their being reinforced.

The Italian Genertvl Berti is struggling to get thu garrison from Bardia along a road which the Royal Air Foroe is making a. nightmare of blood, flame and metal. Relays of aeroplanes leave tue dosert airfields at intervals all day to ensure that the strafing is maintained at the highest pitch. A pall of smoke hangs over Bardia, providing proof of the effectiveness of the Navy's bombardment, which can bo heard from the British camps. The town is almost a complete wreck. The Royal Air Force is giving special attention to the Italian communications, and the slightest sign of movement brings up flights of fighters, which play havoc with troop concentrations and transport columns. British bombers are also unremittingly attacking Bardia, especially the barrack's 1 and jetty, in order to prevent reinforcement from the sea. A British headquarters communique states: "While the. enemy troops holding the Bardia defences are being harassed by artillery fire, our forces, which continue to be reinforced, are clearing areas to the north-west and west. An additional 900 Italian prisoners and four guns have been captured."

'J ho latest Cairo communique, received by British Ofliti.il Wireless, states that reinforcements nro steadily reaching the British troops in the Hnidia area. A further seven guns have been collected from enemy frontier |>osts. which were recently tiuuiijiiod. Conditions are unchanged on the other fronts.