INCREASED STRENGTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 98, 22 October 1940, Page 9

INCREASED STRENGTH

NEAR EAST FORCE

THE WESTERN DESERT

MR. EDEN'S VISIT

SOLID ANTI-AXIS BLOCK

(B.v Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received October 22, noon.) LONDON, October 21. The Cairo correspondent of the British United Press says that the Secretary of State for War (Mr. Anthony Eden) inspected New Zealand, Australian, and other units before going to Palestine. Many convoys of troops and nurses have arrived in the Near East since Sir Archibald WavelPs visit to England, and the British force in the Western Desert has been considerably increased and supplied with additional modern equipment. Mr. Eden's principal object was to discover any additional needs. The Cairo correspondent of "The Times" says that the Axis thrust in the Balkans has had the immediate effect of welding Middle Eastern countries into a solid block. Britain is speedily negotiating with Turkey, I Greece, Irak, Palestine, Egypt, and the Free French ar.d Belgian colonies in Central Africa. Messages from certain political groups are reaching Egypt from the Balkans offering support for Britain and requesting shelter for refugees seeking escape from Bulgaria and Rumania, also permission for menfolk to enlist in the British armies. Mr. Eder/s presence has given a remarkable atmosphere of assurance. The feeling that Britain, under pressure of German attacks, might pay less attention to Egypt has now disappeared. A Bucharest message says that a stringent black-out has been imposed in Bucharest, and also in the oilfields. A secret radio station accused the Government of betraying Rumania by adhesion to the Axis. It gave details of Iron Guard members in authority and warned citizens against them. Manifestoes are being distributed nightly attacking both the Government and the Germans. The Government has approved the exportation of a quantity of oil to Turkey. SHIPPING ATTACKED R.A.F. ACTIVITY MECHANISED ACTION IN SUDAN CAIRO, October 20. - An R.A.F. communique states:— "Yesterday we successfully bombed shipping at Benghazi and Berka. Bombs at Benghazi straddled ships and a large fire was caused in the Berka barracks. We hit a telephone exchange and military headquarters in Benghazi. Bombs fell on barracks and motorised units west of Bardia, also anti-aircraft batteries at Halfaya. "The R.A.F. attacked Maritza, also hangers at Diredawa, where fires followed explosions. Four Italian planes bombed Bahrein Island, causing little damage and no casualties." A headquarters communique states: "One of our mechanised units yesterday successfuly fought an action in the Kassala area (Sudan)." (Received October 22, 1 p.m.) CAIRO, October 21. Italian planes bombed Saudi Arabia on October 20 and flew over the Holy Land, in the neighbourhood of Mecca. There were no casualties. \ NO ILLUSIONS THE BALKAN THREAT REFERENCE BY LORD LLOYD LONDON, October 21. Lord Lloyd, in a speech, gave a reminder that the African front may not always be quie*. He told a Trafalgar Day meeting today that the time when they could take the offensive approached steadily." He said they must have no illusions as to the danger of the threat presented by German and Italian activities in the Balkans. In North Africa the British felt the loss of French troops and coul! not expect the help of the fine Moroccan army in Tunis and Algiers, which had stood between them and the Italians in, Libya. Marshal Graziani had plenty of difficulties, too, and in front of him there was an army eager for early contact with his men. Referring to the battle nearer home, he said: "Let us make no mistake, the end of the war will not be in sight until the air battles take place in German skies over German cities rather than in British skies over British towns." BAHREIN ISLAND RAID (Received October 22, 1 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, October 21. The Standard Oil Co. reports that minor damage resulted from the Italian bombing of Bahrein Island. A water main and an oil pipe line were broken. The buildings and refineries were not hit, and there was no fire.