STORMS RAGING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 9

STORMS RAGING

IN LIBYAN DESERT

33.000 Italian Troops Still Resist In Abyssinia

BritNli Official WireleM. Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, May 9. At Tobruk the situation is unchanged, says a Middle East communique from headquarters at Cairo. Operations have been again hampered by severe sandstorms. In the Solium area British mechanised forces have continued vigorous raiding activities. Operations in all areas in Abvssinia are proceeding welL Competent commentators express no opinion as to the likely duration of the fighting in Abyssinia. As far as is known there, are some 33.000 Italian troops still at large, as well as an unspecified number of native troops, who might easily continue resistance for some considerable time. This course is undoubtedlv being urged by the Germans, and with the resolute leadership of the Duke of Aosta. Viceroy and Italian Commander-in-Chief in Abyssinia, coupled with the difficulties of the terrain confronting the attackers, it can be carried out as long as the Italian morale holds. The roads are easily blocked, as many run along precipitous cliffs or through tunnels, and readily lend themselves to effective demolition. Fighting continues, therefore, as the British Imperial forces advance. It is learned in London that the Imperial forces in the Amba Alagi area occupied further high ground and captured a company of a machine-gun battalion" of an Italian grenadier division. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states that the R.AF., the S.A.A.F. and a Free French squadron carried out highly successful raids on enemy positions. Reconnaissances over the Mediterranean were made by the Free Yugoslavian Air Force. From all these operations two planes are missing.