OPERATIONS IN LIBYA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23301, 10 April 1941, Page 7

OPERATIONS IN LIBYA

British Withdrawal Proceeding SUCCESS OF AIR FORCES (Received April 9, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, April 9. The only news of land operations in Libya is that the withdrawal of advanced British units is proceeding. The Berlin radio said that the British withdrawal from Benghazi was well prepared and was nothing in the nature of a flight. Very few abandoned tanks and cars were found. Gun emplacements were in perfect order but the guns were gone. The British set fire to depots before they left. The people of Benghazi were relieved to see the Axis troops. Italian and German flags were flying everywhere and huge crowds lining the streets wildly cheered and embraced the passing Germans and Italians. • The Rome radio claimed that the Axis forces have reoccupied Derna. The Lisbon correspondent of the “Daily Express” says Herr Hitler’s ’forces in North Africa are under the command of a personal friend of Herr Hitler, General Romnel, aged 49, who was the head of Herr Hitler’s headquarters staff during the invasions, of Czechoslovakia and Poland. He commanded a panzer division in the break through on the Meuse last Ma\ He is the son of a workman. He "rose from the ranks and won a commission in the last war. He is now the Nazi Party’s leaning general.. It is believed that he has between three and four panzer divisions in Cyrenaica. The striking success of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in Cyrenaica , during the last week is recorded iri a Royal Air Force Middle East communique. “The Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force have been operating continuously in the last week,” the communique says, "covering 1 the concentration of our troops in the new positions and harassing the enemy’s lines of communication. Our bombers raided aerodromes in the neighbourhood ■of Benghazi and, assisted by fighters, attacked enemy motor transport and troop concentrations ceaselessly. “Detailed reports are not available but during one day alone our fighters shot down 14 enemy aircraft, believed to be German, without loss to themselves. Another day, four enemy aircraft were destroyed, again without loss. "In Abyssinia and East Africa, aircraft of the South African Air Force have continued to give support to our advancing troops. Aerodromes at Dessie were heavily raided and barrack buildings were set on fire. Damage was caused to dispersed enemy aircraft. Enemy troops and motor transport concentrations north of the town were machine-gunned. A number of lorries were destroyed and there were many raciiialfifl*! “It is now learned that in the raid carried out on an aerodrome at Kombolcha on April 6, 10 enemy aircraft were' destroyed on the ground. Two CR 42’s were shot down by our fighter escort. “Royal Air Force bombers reported in Monday’s communique as missing have since returned to their base. There were no losses from our operations during the period under review^” Capture of Adclis Ababa An official communique from Nairobi describing the capture of Addis Ababa said: "Following the leading elements which entered Addis Ababa late the previous evening, South African, East African and West African troops occupied the city on April 6. There were no incidents, the Italian officials handing over the town with its essehtial services intact. A considerable number of prisoners, including airmen, were taken. Operations in this area are continuing and the enemy is being followed up on all fronts.” Addis Ababa was quiet from outward appearances when the South African troops entered, but it is learned that the police for several nights had been busy quelling the Abyssinians. The British pursued the Italians and narrowly missed capturing General Santini. The Duke of Aosta (the Italian Viceroy), with the "main eneny forces, retreated in a northerly direction. ALLIED LOSSES AT SEA BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC “NO CAUSE FOR SERIOUS ALARM ” (8.0. W.) RUGBY,. April 8. Merchant ships lost by enemy action during the week ended at midnight on March 30, the eighty-second week of the war, were 20 vessels of a total of 77,575 tons, comprising 13 British vessels of 58,879 tons,' five Allied ships of 14,975 tons, and two neutral ships of 3721 tons. . The German claims for this week total 187,000 tons, and the Italians claimed 12,000 tons. It, is notified that some ships which were overdue in the eightieth week, ended March 16,' must now be regarded as lost. British losses have increased in this period, therefore, from 20 vessels of 76,894 tons to 27 vessels of 107,794 tons, and Allied losses from six vessels of 16,821 tons to nine of 37,617 tons. The total losses for .the week are now 146,098 tons instead of 94,402 tons, but even then only about half the total claimed by the enemy has been sunk during that period. ‘ It is felt in naval circles that, although the latest figures show, no great increase, the corrections • in the eightieth week add a considerable figure to the total losses. They demonstrate the vital importance, of the great “Battle of the Atlantic,” which is being waged every minute of the night and day. On this battle may very well depend the result of the war, but it is not regarded as a cause for serious alarm. It should be realised that, although great land and sea battles may seem of greater immediate interest than the long-drawn battle in the Atlantic, which may last for months, great sacrifices and endurance are being continually demanded of the merchant service and the Navy staff. The work of organising convoys must not be under-rated, as it is a task of extraordinary complexity. Convoys cannot run with the regularity of suburban trains. Fogs, gales, and last-minute diversions may delay the start, and sudden information of fresh minefields often means the strengthening of escorting ships in view of new dangers. Again, in an Atlantic chase, it seems impossible not to get within range _ of the enemy before dusk, and yet visibility may suddenly decrease from 10 to two or three miles, and nothing can be seen. The rendezvous, too, of convoys is not a landmark like a church tower or cross roads, but a spot where there is nothing to distinguish it from the rest of the ocean, and the assembly of individual ships may mean hours lost in the progress of a convoy. The heavy figures now announced, which may make a weekly average of 98,000 tons, do not affect the conviction in informed- naval circles that Britain will eventually win the battle of the Atlantic.

London Newspaper Increases Price. —The price of the "Daily Telegraph" will be IJd from April 14 instead of Id. It is explained that this is necessary as a measure to reduce sales because of the newsprint restrictions.— i London, April 8.