WAR WITH ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 8

WAR WITH ITALY

R.A.F.’S SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS ENEMY TROOPS IN EGYPT ■ — • . - [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] I RUGBY, ‘September 15. 1 A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states: “In the Western Desert, where Italian bombers were ' active on the night of September 13, i our bombers made a successful attack on concentrations of enemy motor transport in the Solium area. ' Bombs in one case fell on the vehicles, a number of which were hit. In another case the bombs fell among troops and vehicles, a fire being started. “In the Sudan, enemy aircraft dropped bombs at Khoryabis, southeast of Khartoum. No material damage was caused. Our aircraft macle attacks on the Gura aerodrome, a direct hit being observed on a hangar and other buildings, and a number of intense fires being started. Oui bombers again raided Assab.” A Cairo communique states: “The penetration by Italian forces into, the desert area evacuated by the British continues. Camps are being constructed in the neighbourhood of Birnum, seven miles south of Solium. The enemy has suffered severe handling by our aircraft and armoured fighting vehicles, and columns descending to the coastal plain at Haifa suffered heavily from our artillery fire. . Our casualties continue to be insignificant. “The enemy is believed to have lost many men and vehicles. Another raider has been brought down by antiaircraft fire over Mersa Matruh.' “There is nothing to report on the other fronts.” HAS INVASION STARTED? LONDON, September 15. The Italians yesterday advanced across the Egyptian frontier and occupied Solium, near the. Libyan border, from which the British withdrew six weeks ago. It is reported in official circles in Rome that the Italians hope to reach Alexandria in a minimum of a month, and a maximum of two months. It is not clear whether the invasion of Egypt proper has begun. . British armoured units ara harassing the Italians.

CONTACT ESTABLISHED RUGBY, September 16. A communique issued at Cairo on Monday states: “Although the main enemy forces appear to be consolidating the position round Solium, strong elements and armoured fighting vehicles are now in contact with our advance troops about Buqbuq. Throughout yesterday, the enemy successfully was harried by the R.A.F., and artillery fire from our mobile guns. Other fronts are quiet. ITALIAN CLAIMS. ROME, September 16. A communique states: The Italian vanguard occupied Solium, pushed beyond it, and destroyed approximately 50 enemy armoured cars and tanks. The retreating units set fire to numerous supply depots. The enemy suffered serious losses by air. We carried out dive-bombing attacks against the Haifa airport at Malta, hitting anti-aircraft batteries, sheds, and equipment. A big explosion and a large fire were observed. Italian escort planes engaged divebombers which counter-attacked. One British plane was shot down. All ours returned. Italian motor torpedo-boats sank a submarine in the eastern Mediterranean. A cruiser was hit by a medium bomb. We bombed troop sheds as Gosregeb, and natives at Metemma. We routed a caravan, led by an Australian captain, which was trying to enter Italian territory. (Received September 17, 1.40 p.m.) ROME, September 16. A communique states: Italian bombers have intensified their attacks on the region of Sidi Barrani and Mersamatruh, in the past 48 hours, repeatedly .hitting the supply organisation of an'important place in Egyptian territory. They destroyed many units of an armoured division.

RAID ON- TEL AVIV RUGBY, September 16. Messages have been telegraphed to the High Commissioner for Palestine, from Mr. Churchill and Lord Lloyd, expressing sympathy with the people of Tel Aviv, who were recently bombed by the Italians. Mr. Churchill asked that the Mayor of Tel Aviv should be informed of his deep sympathy in the losses sustained, and added: “This act of senseless brutality will only strengthen our united resolve.” JERUSALEM’S DEFENCE 1 . LONDON, September 15. Jewish and Arab units will be formed for the defence of . the Jerusalem district if the need arises. Jewish authorities are already appealing for volunteers for an infantry unit to serve with the British Army.