ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1940, Page 8

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

LARGE ARMY ON MARCH ATTACKED. FROM AIR AND SEA f [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, September 17. „ The correspondent of “The Times on the Italian frontier says it is officially announced from Rome that the Italian offensive in Egypt is timed to coincide with a German thrust against England. ■ Dispatches from Addis Ababa state that the Italians are advancing across the Egyptian frontier at several points, throwing in regulars, Blackshirts, mechanised units, . and also camel corps from Libya. The beginning of the offensive is marked by the end of the desert storms which, in recent weeks, stirred up the powdery sand, making’ it impossible to use motorised vehicles or even tanks ■because of 'the weight of sand infiltrating the engines. Italian pilots report that the''British are rushing up naval units from Alexandria and other parts of the Mediterranean, and have begun shelling the roads leading to Alexandria, along which the Italians are reported to be fighting their way. It is also indicated that Marshal ■Graziani's push to Egypt will be followed by general activity of the Italian army in Kenya and also along- the border of the AngloEgyptian Sudan. The possibility of “expeditionary action” from the. air is also reported from Rome. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says it is understood that the Egyptian Government views the new situation with equanimity. It is generally accepted that the Egyptian forces will have their place in the scheme for the defence of Egypt and will play' their part when called on. A French unit, formed in Egypt, from followers of General de Gaulle is among the troops facing the Italians. It includes professional soldiers, reservists of the Foreign Legionaries and natives from Senegal. ' A message from Cairo says that the Italians, using picked motorisedunits as a spearhead, continued their push eastward from Eagbag, in spite of serious losses. German experts are assisting Marshal Graziani. Many native Libyan units are included in the consolidatory forces at Solium. The Italians are following the coastal road and have'no reason to pause at Bagbag, which is at present depopulated and without water.

KING FAROUK’S APPEAL. LONDON, September 17. An Associated Press report from Cairo states that at present the British are allowing the enemy to advance over no-man’s-land, confining their activities to inflicting as many casualties as possible and damaging transports. The Italians are reported to be 25 miles past the Libyan border. Tanks, aircraft, and motorcycle units are covering the Italian column, while Libyan forces bear the full brunt of the advance. The advance from the south-east of Libya has not yet materialised. Apparently. the Italian forces in this sector are awaiting the results of Marshal Graziani's attack. King Farouk of Egypt has appealed to all Moslems throughout the world to unite in prayers for peace. At the same time it is stated that the Egyptians will fight beside the British if the Italian threat develops into an invasion. Agency reports state that the people of Cairo are continuing their normal life. The town is only partially blacked out, as it is an open city and not liable to bombing. SIDI BARRANI CAPTURED. ' (Recd. Sept. 18, 11.25 a.m.). CAIRO, September 17. It .is-officially stated that Italian motorised columns occupied Sidi Barrani, and pushed * out covering forces southward and westward. (Recd. Sept. 18, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. A Rome communique states: Severe fighting occurred at Sidi Barrani, yesterday. The battle is continuing.

RAPID ADVANCE. (Recd.-Sept. 18, 2.39 p.m.). .LONDON, September 17. The occupation of Sir! Barrani has brought the Italian advance 75 miles from the frontier in five days, establishing Marshal Graziani at the commencement of a fine asphalted road running through Mersa Matruh to Alexandria. The spearhead of the invading forces, totalling three divisions, is already on, and is pushing along this road. Others are frantically digging in at Solium and Siri Barrani, which they intend to use as bases for operations from oases further inland. ‘ Italian military circles claim that Solium is important, because it is the only natural harbour between Libya and Alexandria, which is the Italians’ main objective. They declare that Solium will afford shelter for the largest naval units in the world; also protection against the treacherous African winds, because it is surrounded by a horseshoe chain of hills.

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES RUGBY, September 17. A Royal Air Force communique from Cairo, issued on Monday, says: “Royal Air Force bomber and fighter forces were active in Libya and the Western Desert area yesterday. Our fighters shot down six enemy bombers, the loss of which has been confirmed, and probably three others. One of our aircraft failed to return. “Last nighUa large enemy motor transport column was successfully attacked near Bagbag. Numerous petrol fires were started and were well visible 100 miles away. An enemy vehicle column moving eastwards along a track east of Bagbag was bombed yesterday. Bombs were observed to fall on the column and many fires could be seen 40 miles away. “Enemy aircraft attacked one of our aerodromes without result, and. did not do any damage. In two enemy raids on Malta, immaterial damage was caused and an enemy divebomber was damaged by our fighters. In Eritrea, bombers attacked the Assab naval barracks, and fires were started. Direct hits were registered on hangars and buildings in Gura, and in a further attack on the Adiveri and Gura aerodromes, hangars and buildings were set on fire, the blaze

being visible 50 miles away. In spite of poor weather conditions, Asmara was attacked and two big fires were started in the aerodrome buildings. “An enemy 79 bomber which attempted to raid Aden was intercepted by our fighters and damaged.” MANY DIRECT HITS RUGBY, September 17. An R.A.F. communique, 'issue'd . at Cairo states: A series •of bombing raids were made on Monday night on enemy motor transports and concentrations east of Buqbuq. Many, direct hite were observed, resulting in numerous fires and explosions. Against Eritrea, there was successful attack on Asmara aerodrome, a direct hit being scored on the hangar formation. Enemy bombers approached Malta on Monday, but turned away without dropping bombs on the appearance, of our fighters. • ■ ■•' ■ ■'■ From all the operations, the British aircraft returned safely. MR. CHURCHILL’S REFERENCE RUGBY, September 17; The Prime Minister, in the Commons, -prefaced his remarks on the progress of the battle of Britain, with a brief reference to the operations in East Africa. “The advance of the Italian.army from Libya is in progress,” he said: “Two British platoons, which had been holding Solium, have been withdrawn. Sharp • fighting is taking place upon the desert, flanks between armoured vehicles, but the enemy is still at some distance from our position of resistance. We must see what happens.” BRITAIN AND ETHIOPIA RUGBY, September 17. The British Government, stated Lord Templemore, in the Lords, had no territorial or other ambitions in Ethiopia, but was anxious to see that country liberating itself from Italian aggression. The Government would give all possible assistance to those Ethiopians who had already taken up or will take up arrhs against the invader. INDIAN TROOPS PRAISED. •' LONDON, September 17. The British Commander-in-Chief in India has sent a message of congratulation to Indian troops operating in Africa. This shows that two Punjabi battalions played a prominent part in the war in British Somaliland. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy, and the Punjabis lost only four men killed, 11 wounded, and 11 missing. TEXTILES SHORTAGE. (Recd. September 18, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. “The Times” says that a campaign has been launched in Italy to induce men to wear shorts and go hatless, for the purposes of conserving textiles. Publicity states that shorts are virile and hygienic.