ITALIANS IN BARDIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 151, 23 December 1940, Page 8

ITALIANS IN BARDIA

BRITISH NOT HURRYING

CLIFF DEFENCES

HO HOPE OF REINFORCEMENT

LONDON, December 21

The Italian rearguard in Bardia is still resisting, but British troops are now astride the main BardiaTobruk road. Guns also command the remaining coastal road, along which Italians are still escaping. It is believed that the occupation cannot be long delayed. A very clear indication that the Italian evacuation is nearly complete was seen when Royal Air Force bombers paid their usual visit to Bardia last night and did not encounter anti-aircraft fire. The pilots saw a ship ablaze in the harbour. Today's reports from the ( desert state that the British forces comprising the inner circle of mobile units with infantry and guns in support surround the entire area of Bardia, with a perimeter of about 15 miles running round the top of the high cliff overlooking Bardia. The main defences j and also the bulk of the enemy forces are situated on the top of the cliff inside fairly formidable fortifications, including a large number of strong-! points in which are machine-gun nests, concrete pill-boxes, land mines, and other concealed defences. These naturally call for a certain amount of care, but the British are not hurrying because the Italians undoubtedly are securely bottled up. STRUGGLE TO SAVE GARRISON. The size of the garrison is uncertain, but the British are still convinced that there is no hope of reinforcements. General Berti is struggling to get the garrison from Bardia along a road which the Royal Air Force is making a nightmare of blood, flame, and metal. Relays of planes leave their desert airfields all day to ensure that the strafing is maintained at the highest pitch. A pall of smoke overhangs Bardia, providing proof of the "effectiveness of the Navy's bombardment, which was heard from the British camps all Thursday night. The.town is almost completely wrecked. Special attention has been given to the Italian communications, and the slightest sign of movement brings up flights of fighters which wreak havoc on the concentrations of troops and transport columns. The Royal Air Foree1 is also unremittingly attacking Bardia, especially the barracks and the jetty, in order to prevent reinforcements from the sea. On what appeared to be a large Italian camp the Royal Air Force dropped leaflets calling on the Italians to surrender, and also photographs showing cheerful prisoners being fed, but the leaflets showered on Imperial forces, who were already in possession of the camp.

The Royal Army Service Corps is performing wonders in carrying out its enormous task of maintaining constant supplies over the 300-mile line of communications between the front and the base.