BENGHAZI EVACUATED

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13307, 5 April 1941, Page 5

BENGHAZI EVACUATED

STRATEGIC MOVE STRONG ITALO-GERMAN ATTACK BRITISH WITHDRAW TO SELECTED AREAS London, April 3. It is stated officially in Cairo that Benghazi has been evacuated. This announcement seems to indicate that enemy forces are evidently stronger than at first appeared, adds British Official Wireless. It is important to remember that the actual distances in the desert are not of very great importance. What really matters is whether troops are scooped up in the process and in this case the British troops have not been scooped up.

The evacuation of Benghazi must, however, be regarded as a setback and Mr Churchill’s warning that setbacks, as well as victories must be expected should be recalled. Every confidence is felt in the ability of Sir Archibald Wavell and the troops under him to meet the new situation.

A German communique says Italian and German units reached Zuetina, 20 miles north-west of Agedabia, which is 100 miles south of Benghazi. The enemy is hastily retreating northward, the reports says, adding: “We captured a number of prisoners, armoured and unarmoured vehicles. , Our losses were extremely light,” The Italian communique says: “We evacuated Asmara to avoid further bombardment, which had already caused hundreds of deaths. Italian and German .mechanised units continued beyond Mersa Brega.”

Berlin radio announced that German and Italian troops had recaptured Agedabia. A communique issued from headquarters at Cairo and quoted by British Official Wireless, says;—“ln Libya British forward troops have withdrawn to positions north of Agedabia. This movement was followed up by enemy mechanised forces. “A large number of prisoners have been taken in Eritrea and many more are being rounded up. A considerable number of guns and much war material was aSso captured. Operations are continuing southwards from Asmara.” British forward troops in Abyssinia have captured Miesso on the railway about 180 miles from Addis Ababa.

A special communique from Cairo states that in the face of a determined advance by strong Halo-Ger-man forces disposing numerous and in pursuance of the policy so successfully adopted at Sidi Barrani of waiting to choose our own battleground, British lisrht covering detachments have withdrawn to selected areas.