A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 8

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

The Imperial armies are forging ahead still more swiftly in both Libya and Eritrea. . , Remarkable new progress in North Africa is announced, lhe British have pushed by foot along the mountainous country near t le coast and have occupied a town 50 miles from Derna, either capturing or cutting off other intervening townships. The advance still continues, and the enemy are believed to be in mass retreat toward Barce on the Cyrenaican railway, from where according to a report local forces are being evacuated. Believed to have lost half of their numbers and the greater par. of their material, the Italian rearguard in Eritrea have the British hot on their heels. One enemy force has retreated almost to Keren. 150 miles from the Sudan border.

It is disclosed that invading units are now 60 miles inside Italian Somaliland.

A report from Sofia says a German move through Bulgaria can be considered almost certain. Bulgaria’s position is desperate and tragic as, with Turkish armed opposition to Germany, the country would become a battleground. Opponents of Japan’s South Pacific expansion plans are alarmed at the likelihood of her gaining a naval base in Annam, which would provide her with a convenient jumping-off place. It is considered likely that any offensive Japan may make against the Dutch East Indies will coincide with Germany’s expected all-out attack on Britain. Britain is stated to have received in December and January 90 per cent, of the aircraft produced in the United States. The number is expected to reach 1000 a month by March. If the Aid to Britain Bill is passed, Britain will probably receive many planes already attached to the American army and navy.