GERMAN THRUST IN LIBYA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23302, 12 April 1941, Page 10

GERMAN THRUST IN LIBYA

HOW MEDITERRANEAN WAS CROSSED i “AIR POWER MADE IT POSSIBLE ” i8.0.W.) RUGBY, April 10. Describing air power as Die invariable factor of success in the present war, Air Commodore R. V. Goddard, giving a broadcast war commentary, said: “How did those German forces cross the Mediterranean? There is one explanation—air power. “In part, the Germans were flown across. For the most part, they crossed the narrow sea in ships, always warned of the approach of our Navy by air reconnaissance, so that they had time to get back or go forward, always within the protection of powerful German bomber and fighter forces “The fact which stands out is that German air power, extending from Germany across Italy and Sicily to Tripoli and Benghazi, made possible that German thrust in Libya. Let us hope we shall learn that that is a diversion pi effort for the Germans. As such, it will be important for us. The Germans are being stretched. “We have seen the same sort ot lesults from air power again and again. Dominate an area with your air force, and you can do a great deal beneath its wings. Had we had sufficient air cower to dominate Albania and the surrounding waters, the Italians there might have been starved by now for lack of supplies by sea. We had not got that power. “Now Nazidom’s wings arc spreading into Greece and Jugoslavia. Hun dive-bombers have been at their deadly work. They could not do it over this side of the Channel for long. “You may remark that in every land battle started by the Germans they have put out superior air forces fiist to down the opposition. How and why is that? The map of Europe gives the answer. Moving about upon the chessboard of Europe, chequered with 10UI) aerodromes, the German air forces possess the essential network for mobility and quick supply. The Luftwaffe moves on interior lines well prepared tor the purpose, and, with the exception of Libya, independent of the sea and of shipping. That is how. The answer to the question ‘Why? is simply, ‘Because they have got the stun. NAVAL HELP FOR BRITAIN CONFIDENCE IN PACIFIC STRENGTH LONDON. April 9. In Singapore to-day, me Comman-der-in-Chief of the China Station (Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton) said that if the balloon went up in the Pacific, Britain would get powerful naval reinforcements, whether the United States came in or not. The reinforcements would be available quickly enough to be effective in any situation, . , . Any part of the United States Fleet could be accommodated in Singapore if the occasion demanded it, he added. The British Commander-in-Chief in the Far East (Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham) has arrived m Manila and is conferring with the Netherlands Foreign Minister (Dr. van Kleffons). and the United States High Commissioner (Mr Francis B. Sayre). BRITISH WOMEN’S SERVICES FULL MILITARY STATUS GRANTED (8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 10. Two women’s services—the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force—are to be granted full military status as members of the armed forces of the Crown, stated the Secretary for War (Captain David Margesson) in the House' of Commons. The women would be employed only on work for which they had special aptitudes, he said. Such work would include duties on searchlight and gun stations. There was particular need for women with good educational qualifications. , The services would remain women s services, under the general direction of women, and the disciplinary code of the Army would be applied to it only so far as necessitates by the wider responsibility now envisaged. RECALL DEMANDED U.S. OFFICIAL IN ROME (Received April 11, 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 9. Italy to-day demanded the recall of the .American Assistant-Military Attache in Rome in an apparent reprisal for the United States insisting on the withdrawal of the Italian Naval Attache in the United States (Admiral Lais). The Italian Ambassador informed Mr Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, in a note that Admiral Lais was leaving without delay. In the same note, Italy stated that Captain Bentley, in the United States Embassy in Rome, was persona non grata with the Italian Government. GERMAN WARSHIP IN INDIAN OCEAN (Received April 11, 9 p.m.) SINGAPORE, April 10. Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton. Commander-in-Chief of the China Station, questioned about the presence of a raider, declared that it was known to be the German pocket battleship, Admiral Scheer, which was operating in the middle stretches of the Indian Ocean. Australians Return From Libya—Recalling the scenes when troops returned from the last war, crowds estimated at 100,000 lined Melbourne streets and gave a stirring and emotional welcome to 100 wounded Victorian soldiers who took part in the Libyan campaign. They were accompanied by 200 men for other states.—Melbourne. April 11.