GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 4, 4 July 1940, Page 11

GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN

SITUATION IN LIBYA

SUCCESS OF THE BRITISH OPERATIONS

LONDON, July 3.

The Cairo correspondent of "The Times" says that the British commander, Lieutenant-General Wilson, summing up the military situation in Egyptian territory, said:

"Our first job was to break down 200 miles of wire fence on the Libyan frontier, which was garrisoned by Libyan troops under Italian officers. Our mechanised patrols carried out the task and also penetrated the Italian territory deeply.

"These operations, which were aimed to create a situation giving scope for our mobile units, have been carried out under severe difficulties —the heat, lack of water, sandstorms, absence of cover, and lack of good communications.

"The success of our operations, in which patrols have constantly harassed the enemy and collected information deep in the enemy territory, shows the definite superiority .of the British troops, who, in spite of the fact that they are always fighting .against a numerically superior enemy, have captured many prisoners, including a large number of Italian officers. None of our men have been captured.

"In short, we are fighting a very successful guerrilla campaign under conditions which do not allow the employment of forces on the European lines."

"The Times" correspondent declares that the conditions are similar on the frontiers of Sudan and Kenya, where constant British patrols are harassing and demoralising the enemy's native troops. The spirits of the British on all fronts are high.