LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 87, 14 April 1942, Page 4

LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

PATRIOTIC WORK

LOSSES OF STOCK AND CASH

A report received by the National Patriotic Fund Board from its commissioner, LieutenantColonel F. Waite, indicates that the cost to the board of the second Libyan campaign may be the greater part of £10,000. In addition to the cost of a large quantity of comforts distributed free, losses of stock and cash were suffered through enemy action.

"These confused battles do not conform to any previous pattern of warfare," Colonel Waite comments. "Never before have we had a campaign in which so many medical officers, chaplains, and welfare workers were taken prisoner. Anything that cannot both fight hard and run fast is very much at a disadvantage in desert warfare."

When Colonel Waite wrote, the losses suffered had not been determined finally. According to information then available, six of the V.M.C.A. personnel were lost and three vehicles. Goods and money were also captured by the enemy.

Comforts worth over £5000 (Egyptian) were distributed free to the troops. These goods comprised chocolate, cigarettes, matches, New Zealand tobacco, toilet requisites, and tinned fruit.

Cash on a mobile van totalling £445 (Egyptian) was lost through enemy action, and cases of goods to the value; of £742 (Egyptian) were lost through the same cause en route to Tobruk.

In addition, Colonel Waite estimated that losses with the 6th Brigade might be £1000 (Egyptian) in cash and stock.