GRUELLING TEST FOR GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 9

GRUELLING TEST FOR GERMANS

Desert Storms Hinder Fighting

LONDON, May 6.

Heavy sandstorms and furnacelike heat are testing the endurance of the Germans in tlie Solium and Tobruk areas, according to military circles in Cairo.

The situation is much the same as it was 24 hours ago. It is lielieved that eiiemy attacks proved exhausting as well as costly.

A headquarters communique states that the activities of the imperial ground and air forces in tlie Solium area have been severely hampered by a heavy sandstorm.

The position in Abyssinia, where columns from the north and south are converging on Amba Alagi, is described in !t.he Cairo military circles as very promising.

The British communique states that in Abyssinia further progress has been made by the Imperial forces advancing northward from Dessie on the rear of the Italian positions about Amba Alagi. Advancing from Neghelli, Imperial troops ejected and inflicted heavy casualties on a strong enemy force holding a position covering Adola. In of her sectors the advance is continuing. Bombing of Bases. A Royal Air Force communique states that a very heavy bombing attack was made on Sunday night ou Benghazi harbour, the Benina aerodrome, aud landing fields at Barce, Derna and Gazaia. At least live enemy aircraft were destroyed by fire at Betiina, including one or more large Foeke-Wulf Condor troop-carrying aircraft. Enemy aircraft were also machine-gunned at Benina and Derna. and fires and explosions occurred at Benghazi and Barce. Our fighters and bombers were active on Monday, attacking enemy mechanized units in the Bardin, Eladem, Capuzzo and Solium areas. Considerable damage was done ■to vehicles and personnel. Enemy aircraft raided Crete on Sunday, but onr lighters intercepted them and shot down one Junkers 8.8 and damaged several others, while .-inti aircraft lire damaged several more. In Abyssinia aircraft of Hie R.A.E. and lhe South African Air Force continued harassing operations against the enemy in the few areas still held by them.

From all these operations, two ot our aircraft are missing.

CLOSER AIR BASES

LONDON, May 6.

The Berlin radio announced that air liases have now been established in Greece, particularly in Peloponnesus, which will enable German aircraft to participate in the battle for Tobruk and necessitate a Hight only of GOO mill's, compared with 121)0 hitherto. An Italian communique claims llto occupation of six islands in Cyclades group, nori It of Cret e.