WAVELL’S ORDER OF THE DAY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23204, 16 December 1940, Page 7

WAVELL’S ORDER OF THE DAY

MESSAGE ON EVE OF ATTACK

KING CONGRATULATES TROOPS

(united tress association— copthight.) (Received December 15, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. The British Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East (General Sir Archibald Wavcll), in a special Order of the Day issued to the troops on the eve of the British offensive, said: “In everything but numbers we are superior to the enemy. The results of the fighting will he one of the decisive events of the war.

"A signal and crushing defeat of the Italian forces will have an incalculable effect not only on the whole position in the Middle East, not only on the military situation everywhere, but on the future freedom of civilisation throughout the world. It may shorten the war by many months.

“The Italians entered the war treacherously and without reason, because they expected a cheap and easy victory. Let us show them their mistake by inflicting on them a stern and costly defeat.

“We have waited long in the Middle East. Our chance has come. Let us strike hard.”

His Majesty the King has sent the following message to General Wavell: “Please convey to all ranks of the force under your command my heartfelt congratulation.-; on their victory in the Western Desert.

“The skill in planning this complicated operation—for which the greatest credit is due to yourself and the commanders and staff of all three Services—was equalled by the efficiency and dash of the troops carrying it out. “The whole Empire can be sure that contingents from the Dominions and India. as well as those of our Free French Allies, have played a distinguished part in this supremely successful encounter with an enemy vastly superior in numbers.”

The Greek Prime Minister fGeneral Metaxas) has asked the British Minister in Athens (Sir Charles Palniret) to transmit to the Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) his warmest congratulations on the brilliant successes achieved by the British Army against the Italian forces in Egypt. General Metaxas odds; “I am convinced that the developments of this offensive will be of capital importance, and will mark a decisive stage in our common struggle against Italy. The whole of Greece is following. with the deepest admiration, the mnpniflcont onrush of your troops, and joins with all its heart in the joy of the noble British nation at their brilliant successes.”

DISSENSION IN ITALY

REPORTED FEELING AGAINST WAR

RUGBY, December 13. The heavy defeats suffered by Italian arms in recent weeks in Albania, in the air and at sea, which have now been followed by a British victory of the first order in the African theatre of war. have aroused much speculation in neutral countries as to Italy’s continued participation in the war and the effect of the defeats on her relations with Germany.

These speculations are fostered by reports reaching neutral countries of internal dissensions in Italy, where according to information available in the United States, the war is increasingly unpopular and the morale low. Latest advices from Milan refer to a split between Marshal Badoglio, the former Chief of the Italian General Staff, and his followers on one hand and the Fascist Party on the other which, it is stated, has developed into an open conflict. Colour is given to these reports by an article by Signor Farinacci, a member of the Fascist Grand Council, in the Fascist newspaper, "Regime Fascista,” of which he is editor. This article accuses Marshal Badoglio of endeavouring to split the Italian nation' and place the responsibility for the situation in which Italy_ finds herself, especially in Albania! on the Fascist Party. Sighor Farinacci alleges that Marshal Badoglio is spreading the report in influential circles that the Army Staff was not responsible for the war against Greece, to which it had always objected, and that when the staff was forced to attack it first asked for a greater number of troops than those at its disposal. Signor Farinacci maintains that such representations are not only untrue as Marshal Badoglio took command unconditionally, but are also childish, as it is common knowledge that the responsibility in warfare lies with the military and technical experts. The article concludes with a remarkable appeal to the Italian nation to rally round Signor Mussolini and the front-line fighters. It is clear that Signor Farinacci’s article, in which reference is made to the offensive spirit of the Libyan army and (he Italian successes in northern Africa, was written before the defeat at Sidi Barrani, which cannot fail further to accentuate internal dissensions. . Meanwhile, significant references have boon made in the Gorman press to the threatened position of the Albanian oilfields. It is very noticeable that the Gorman newspapers do not hesitate to hint that it is of the utmost importance to Italy to protect this relatively small source of oil supply, as there are definite limits to the Rumanian resources.

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALISTS

GENERAL HERTZOG AND MR HAVENGA RESIGN

JOHANNESBURG, December 14. General Hertzog and Mr N. C. Havenga have sent letters .to their constituents saying that they have resigned from the National Party because of the lack of confidence in them revealed at the recent Free Slate and Transvaal' Congresses. The reunited Nationalist Party conference decisions “prove that party to be on a course necessarily leading Afrikanerdpm downward.” They add that they will devote the remainder of their lives to loyal service for the people, but outside party polities. They have also resigned their seats in Parliament.

Later the resignation of the Administrator of the Orange Free State, Mr J. F, J. van Ronsbnrg, who was associated with Mr O. Pirow in rallying the moderate elements of the Nationalist Party, was announced.