ITALIANS CHEER AT BENGHAZI

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 7

ITALIANS CHEER AT BENGHAZI

A.I.F. Entry Described CRIES OF “LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY!”

Brilliant Win In The South

(By Telegraph.—Press As«>n. —

LONDON, February 10.

Details of the battle for Benghazi reveal that after the Italians had made a determined stand at Soluk, 30 miles south of Benghazi, General Bergonzoli realized that further resistance was impossible, as his ammunition was almost exhausted. and the entire staff surrendered. along with at least 21,000 more prisoners. The British advance on Soluk bordered on the miraculous, covering, at unprecedented speed, 125 miles of desert separating Mekili from the railhead, under the most difficult conditions, with high winds and sandstorms. Yet our armoured units beat the Italians by two hours in the race for preliminary positions. A rille brigade of the small Free French Force took up positions overlooking the Benghazi-Jedaba road, to the west of Soluk. and the Italians found themselves rounded up by the armoured divisions. Amazing Reception. The battle of Soluk, lasting three days, led to the final collapse of Benghazi, allowing the Australian infantry the honour of being the first Imperial troops to enter the town. Their reception was amazing. The Australians marched into the square in front of the municipal hall, and found it crowded with Italians, who thronged the balconies, massed on the sidewalks, and cheered the conquering troops. More cheers resounded when a brigadier, who had chased the Italians all the way from Bardia left his car while the troops presented arms. Cries in Italian of “Long live democracy” were audible as the brigadier spoke to the mayor, the. chief of police, and the Roman Catholic bishop. The commanding officer of the Carabinieri said he would continue to maintain order, and his men were allowed to keep their arms. The principal desire of the Italians was to ensure that the business of the town should proceed normally, and the Carabinieri and police expressed their willingness to work under the (British command.

The conversation among all classes of Italians revealed the sincerity of the hearty greetings. An elderly woman whose two sons were in the Italian army, said, “Like Balbo, we did not want war, but were forced to follow. We like the British. They can make this country great by re-establishing order with the Arabs.” The majority of the settlers are antiFascists, and had a great admiration for Balbo, who was killed, some said, because he saw what was coming. Refugees Watch Carnage. LONDON, February 11. General Bergonzoli, principal of the captured generals, giving the story ot the battle at Soluk. said that a thousand women and children refugees were unwilling spectators of the carnage of their menfolk, who were mown down by the British guns. Bergonzoli said he was surprised when the British armoured units appeared on the line of retreat to Tripoli, because the Italian air force had not indicated that the British were neat', and rhe Italians did not believe the British to be capable of journeying from the interior in time to intercept them.

The Italians allowed a group of civilian refugees to join tlie fleeing columns. These, according to Bergonzoli, became panic-stricken, and as the tight developed fiercely, women and children tied from the battlefield, which was strewn with perambulators, toys and household goods. A prisoner at Barce declared that il Duce’s aviator son, Bruno Mussolini, was in the town a few days before it was captured.