SHORT OF SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1940, Page 11

SHORT OF SUPPLIES

ITALIANS IN ERITREA “The Italians must be getting very short of supplies over in Eritrea now —especially bombs. For quite a while It was evident that they were rationing their bombs for each raid,” writes a Dunedin naval rating, on active service in the Near East, to his parents. “The usual was one raid a day, and only one attack in each raid. They dropped their eggs from above 20,000 feet, and scuttled for home,” he added. “Then they started dropping bombs made from four-inch or sixinch shells, with vanes welded on the ends. A few of these were found unexploded, and shell splinters were also picked up, hence the knowledge of their doings. “But now they are getting even worse. They are dropping kerosene tins filled with explosives and an assortment of nuts, bolts, nails and razor blades surrounding a detonator,” he writes. “These are practically useless except against people in exposed positions, since they have been known to explode on a wharf and leave no mark except the clearing of all dirt away from the spit. Quite a few do not even explode. “Quite a few of these were among the bombs dropped at us during the raid by planes after our convoy was attacked by Italian destroyers. It was probably one of these which I heard hitting like hail against the ship, and which I thought was shrapnel,” he continued. “Several nails and a bolt were picked up on board, and some of the chaps swore they saw one tin drop. They said they could see it turning over as it fell. It hit the sea near us, and sank without exploding. “How they expect to win the war like this is beyond me, for I honestly think that unless we lose Egypt they can’t last long. Our blockade has them. As for losing Egypt! With' the 1 Diggers there, they should fix any yellow, garlic eating Italian,” the ( writer went on. “There have been a. lot of desertions from the Eriterean Italian native

.regiments. All this is encouraging, as people will not fight without food,” he continued. “Also, our, Royal Air Force planes are continually hammering what small stores they have. “One of our chaps was telling me that when they go over they take, besides a full bomb load, several empty beer bottles. They drop these for a bit of fun; especially at night, since the moaning, whistling noise they make as they fall scares the natives stiff! Then, when high-explos-ives fall later, the niggers nearly ‘go • out.’ It’s a queer war, but we’re winning!” the letter concludes.