WAR IN AFRICA

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1940, Page 8

WAR IN AFRICA

BARDIA GUNS MORE ACTIVE

NO BRITISH DAMAGE

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

. RUGBY, December 30. Enemy artillery at Bardia was somewhat more active, yesterday, in reply to the continued harassing fire from the British guns, states a Cairo communique, which adds: Our troops sustained no damage or interruption to the preparations, which are proceeding smoothly. On the'Sudan and Kenya fronts, active patrolling continues.

' BARDIA GARRISON.

RUGBY, December 30. Operations around Bardia, at present- are confined to small patrols, artillery action and bombing raids. Military circles in London have no reason to think that the Italians confined inside Bardia by the British forces, are suffering from any lack of water or food. DEFENCE OF TOBRUK LONDON, December 30. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great- Britain at Cairo states that Marshal Graziani has sent thousands of men to throw up additional fortifications at Tobruk. The defence of Bardia is designed to enable the completion of the work at Tobruk.

Apparently unending lines of lorries are pouring men and materials westward from the Libyan frontier for reinforcements for General Sir Archibald Waveil’s forces investingBardia. A large proportion of these lorries were captured from the Italians, and British drivers declare the vehicles are excellent.

R.A.F. RAIDS. RUGBY, December 30. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: — In the Western Desert, enemy landing grounds at Tmimi, Derna, and Gazala were raided by R;A.F. bombers, yesterday. Fires were started at Tmimi, and dispersed aircraft were attacked, but the full extent of the damage could not be observed. At Gazala and Derna, bombs straddled the target. British fighters, continued their offensive patrols, but no contact was, made with the enemy aircraft. In Italian East Africa, a raid -was carried out on motor transport and repair workshops near Dessie. MESSAGES TO NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON, December 30. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) lias received the following message from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in the Middle East: “New Zealand motor transport units have played an important part in operations in the Western Desert to date. In the opening stages they carried infantry forward to the attack, and displayed coolness and resolution under fire. Since the first attack they have worked continuously at the arduous task of bringing forward supplies under difficult conditions and over long distances by day and night. In addition, New Zealand signallers have provided essential links in the system of communications, working long hours under trying conditions. In this way they have contributed largely to the successes obtained.”

The following message has been received from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, at Cairo: “Please accept and express to the friends concerned my very great appreciation of your most heartening Christmas message. The lion has wings. He is showing what his teeth can do. My Christmas greetings, and a victorious New Year for us all.”