LONG-DISTANCE LAND RAIDS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23752, 25 September 1942, Page 5

LONG-DISTANCE LAND RAIDS

BENGHAZI, BARGE, AND GIALO ATTACKS DEEP IN ENEMY REAR (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23. It is revealed that land forces consisting of armoured cars and lorryborne infantry carried but the attacks against Benghazi and Barce on September 13. The attacks formed part of the Tobruk landing operations. They were designed to disrupt the enemy’s administrative organisation. The force apparently carried anti-air-craft guns, with which it destroyed aeroplanes attacking it. One correspondent in Cairo states that when the full story of the Gialo Oasis raid can be told it will be a memorable one. The raid must have been a bad knock to the enemy, coming at a time when he is fighting hard to regroup his forces, and fighting against time and the growing strength of the British forces.

Official quarters steadfastly refuse to disclose details about the raids by mobile columns on Barce, Benghazi, and the Gialo Oasis, but correspondents agree that these exploits are among the bravest and most dashing undertaken in the desert theatre of war for some time. The material results from the raids are not insignificant, but it is emphasised that probably the most important result of these small operations is the feeling of insecurity they produce along the entire length of the Axis lines of communication.

The military correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that the raids will inevitably result in the strengthening of Axis garrisons, and the diversion to rear areas of an increased proportion of weapons and stores which would otherwise be available for the forward troops. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says specially trained groups of men employed sticky bombs in the destruction of places round Barce and Benghazi. The Gialo Oasis was occupied after sharp day and night fighting. Allied artillery had previously blown up munitions and supply dumps. Large supplies had been accumulated at the oasis, which the enemy clearly regarded as outside the range of British raiding parties. “Behind the prosaic words of the Cairo communique announcing the long-range raids lies a story of audacity and courage seldom equalled in desert warfare,” says the Cairo correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency. “The whole story cannot be told because it would tell the enemy •over-much. The raiders on their return to their bases related details which make your hair stand on end. It was a masterpiece of planning and organisation to enable a mobile hardhitting force, equipped with artillery, to trek 500 miles across desert wastes, deliver its blows, and then return a similar distance to its bases.” The Western Desert correspondent of "The Times” says: "These magnificent exploits are part and parcel of a systematic plan for damaging and disturbing the enemy’s supply arrangements, thus preventing or at least'delaying the completion of Marshal Rommel’s immediate task of building up his battered army.” EGYPTIAN FRONT AIR OPERATIONS CONTINUE (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept.'24. In Egypt land operations continue to be confined to patrols, but there has been more air activity. To-day’s Cairo communique says: “During Tuesday night our patrol activity continued. Yesterday,there was nothing to report from our land forces. “On Tuesday torpedo-carrying aircraft scored a direct hit on an enemy ship off the Greek coast. There was a slight increase in enemy air activity over the battle area. No Allied aircraft were lost in these operations.” Royal Air Force medium bombers and South African Air Force light bombers bombed four landing grounds between El Daba and Mersa Matrulr on Tuesday night, states a Cairo message. The targets were bombed and machine-gunned, and enemy vehicles were destroyed. Fires started by lowflying aircraft lighted the target areas. Shipping and harbour installations at Tobruk were also successfully attacked. United States aeroplanes attacked Benghazi. There were no Allied losses* "During the night of Monday, September 21, our patrolling activities continued,” stated Wednesday's communique. “Enemy patrols and working parties were engaged and harassed, and a few prisoners were taken. Yesterday there were artillery exchanges in the southern sector. “There was little air activity over the battle area yesterday, but our heavy bombers successfully attacked the port of Benghazi. Direct hits were scored on two vessels, which were set "Our medium and night bombers attacked enemy landing grounds in the El Daba area on the night of Monday, September 21, causing large fires and explosions.” Agency reports states that American bombers attacked Benghazi Harbour and shipping at dusk on Tuesday, and scored direct hits on two ships, one caught fire, and the other blew up. After dark, the Royal Air Force had a turn. Heavy bombers again attacked the port. All the machines returned.

ADMIRAL SYFRET KNIGHTED COMMANDER OF MALTA CONVOY (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept 23. Vice-Admiral E. N. Syfret, who commanded the naval forces escorting the recent convoy to Malta, has been knighted by the King and invested with the Order of the Bath. Captain Dudley Mason, master of the tanker Ohio, which reached Malta with a valuable cargo of oil. in spite of an almost continuous attack, has been decorated with the George Medal. At the same investiture LieutenantCommander R. Hitchens. R.N.V R who has frequently led light naval forces in attacks on enemy E-boats, received the D.S.O. and bar. GERMAN PRISON CAMP TRANSFERS LONDON, Sept. 23. Official information has been received by the War Office that the German prisoners of war camp Oflag tm has been dissolved and the prisoners transferred to new camps. Four hundred and fifty-five prisoners have been transferred to Oflag 9AX at Rotenbeig. Westphalia, 413 prisoners, all men of the Royal Air Force, to Oflag 218 at Schubin in Poland, and the balance of the 1860 prisoners of Oflag 6B are at Etschstatt, in Bavaria.

Army Chaplain Casualties,—'The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department has announced that 83 chaplains are prisoners of war. 38 are missing. 12 have been- killed in action or died of wounds, 12 accidentally killed or died on active service, and 20 wounded. — Rugby, September 23.