PUSH IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 181, 29 April 1941, Page 7

PUSH IN EGYPT

Relatively Small Enemy Force FRONTIER ACTION R.A.F. Again Bombs Benghazi

(British Official Wireless and Press Assn.)

(Received April 28, 7 p.m.)

LONDON, April 27.

A Middle East communique states: “There is no change in the situation in the Tobruk area. In the Solium area last evening enemy detachments crossed the frontier at several points. British light mobile forces remained in contact with the enemy, harassing their advance.”

The possibility of an enemy push against Sidi Barrani is not ruled out by well-informed quarters in Cairo. Aceordlng to military authorities there the situation in the Western Desert compares roughly with that of last September, when the Italians reached Sid) Barrani, though the present enemy force is believed to be considerably less than the four to six divisions which were used then. Two enemy motorized columns, chiefly Italian troops, advancing east south of the Solium escarpment, have entered Egyptian territory at several points. It is believed that the enemy is not more than 20 miles from the sea. There is no indication of a sweep southward. The British are continuing their harrying tactics and are causing some losses to the enemy. Raids on Libyan A Royal Air Force (Middle East) communique states: “During the night of April 25-26 R.A.F. bombers carried out another raid on Benghazi and dropped bombs on shipping in the harbour and on other military objectives. Large fires were started near the watei tower, telephone exchange and army headquarters. There were near misses to ships in the harbour, and a violent explosion was caused on the mole. “Our fighters machine-gunned and destroyed a number of land oil-tankers and other vehicles moving between Derna and Barce. One Messerschmitt 109 which attempted to attack our ground troops was shot down near Solium. “AU our aircraft returned safely.