AFRICAN FRONTS

Evening Star, Issue 23908, 11 June 1941, Page 7

AFRICAN FRONTS

ENEMY TANK .DESTROYED AT TOBRUK FURTHER PROGRESS IN ABYSSINIA (British Official Wirelpas.) (Rec. 9.3 a.m.) RUGBY, June 10. It is learned in Loudon that in the Tobruk area two enemy aircraft were shot down by British ground defences on the night of Juno 7-8, and that an enemy tank was put out of action by artillery. In Abyssinia the advance of two British columns on Jimma is making progress. The northern column has now reached Hocorro, 15 miles south-west of Abalti, while the southern column has progressed 12 miles from the point at which the river Omo was crossed. Ju this area the prisoners now total about 3,000. A Caii'o communique states: In Libya there is some patrol activity in the frontier area. About Tobruk the situation remains unchanged. In Abyssinia, as the result of the Battle of the Lakes and the Battle of the River Omo, a further 15,000 square miles of Italian territory has fallen into our hands. In spite of great difficulties duo to mountainous country, bad roads, and heavy rains at least four divisions have been destroyed or dispersed in these battles. All the major opposition in front of Jimma has been overcome, and operations are proceeding favourably, ITALIAN CASUALTIES HUGE NUMBER MISSING ROME, June 9. It has been announced that the Italian , casualties during May were 34,407, of which 1,948 were killed and 3,157 wounded, while 27,302 are missing. The total includes casualties during the previous seven mouths, which wore not included earlier because of lack of information. Since June of last year until May 31 the army casualties have been 17.G22 killed, 45,779 wounded, and 132,523 missing. The figures for the navy were 1,075 killed. 1,301 wounded, and 6,146 missing: and for the air force 514 killed, 825 wounded, and 1,613 missing. EVACUATION OF ALEXANDRIA ARAB POPULATION LEAVING ALEXANDRIA, June 10. The continued exodus of the Arab population provides an amazing sight. About 40,000 left the city by train, and at least two or three times that number arc expected to leave within the next two days. Soldiers are picketing the entrances to the main station, and trains leave continuously. Women with babies even ride on carriage roofs. The city remains calm. It was announced in Cairo to-day that 410 persons were killed in the raid on Saturday night. The raid last Wednesday resulted in 147 killed and 92 injured. OFFICIAL CASUALTY LISTS (Rec. noon.) CAIRO, June 10. The official casualties in the raid on Alexandria on June 4 were 147 killed and 92 injured. The casualties in the raid on June 7 were 410 killed and 31 injured. IRAQ AND ITALY DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS SEVERED • _____ (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.5 a.m.) RUGBY, June 10, It is confirmed in authoritativ'e quarters in London that tho Iraq Government has broken off diplomatic relations with Italy. All Italians must leave Iraq territory. CHEAP AIR MAIL RATES AUSTRALIAN FORCES IN MIDDLE EAST (Rec. 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 10. Members of the A.I.F. in the Middle East will soon be enabled to communicate with home by air mail at the reduced charge of 3d. Mr Spender (Army Minister) said today that the Post Office had agreed to proposals made on behalf of the A.I.F. that' special air mail lettercards should be forwarded from tho Middle East at 3d each. The cards will be supplied to the troops free. The service begins within a few weeks, when the cards have been printed and distributed. BRISTOL CATHEDRAL SOCIETY RAISING FUNDS i (British Official AViroless.) RUGBY, Juno 9. The annual meeting of Friends oi Bristol Cathedral, a society for raising funds to preserve and restore tho cathedral buildings, was attended by Queen Mary, friend-in-chief, on Monday evening, when a sermon was preached by tho Bishop of Bristol, Dr C. S. Woodward. NEW YORK CIVIL DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT OF AUXILIARY POLICE (Rec. 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 10. The Mayor of New York (Mr La Guardia) has directed the formation of an A.R.P. warden service designed to embrace 60,000 men and women, also the establishment of 15,000 auxiliary police for civilian defence purposes. All will be recruited from the most reputable citizens. Plans are being prepared to use New York’s 12,000 taxis for civilian defence.