AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 January 1941, Page 7

AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

BRItISH PRESSURE MAINTAINED MASTERY IN THE AIR [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, January 14. The British artillery round Tobruk is placed on high ground overlooking the coast, and from where the guns are firing good observation can be obtained. A slackening of the Italian artillery fire has been noted and what fire there is is said to be very erratic. This is probably a result of the lack of air observation. Helped by the capture of landing grounds which the Italians failed to make unusable, the Royal Air Force is ranging as far west as Benghazi, without opposition. NOTHING TO REPORT.

RUGBY, January 14.

A Cairo communique states: In Libya, there is nothing fresh to report. In the Sudan, in the neighbourhood of Kassala, patrol activity is continuing. On other fronts, there is nothing to report.

AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES MELBOURNE, January 14. Army Headquarters have announced that the total Australian casualties in the assault on Bardia were 296, made up of 31 officers and 265 other ranks. The number of Australians who were killed or who died from wounds was 17. ITALIAN GENERAL CAPTURED. RUGBY, January 14. The search for a large party of Italian senior officers, which has already proved successful, is still being carried out by Hurricane aircraft, says the Air Ministry. These Italians were the vanguard of the enemy troops, who escaped from Bardia, and were making for Tobruk along coastal paths, before Bardia was surrounded and taken. R.A.F. planes flying low, sometimes skimming cliffs at 50 feet, are spotting lurking Italians, who are taking refuge in caves. Two days ago, the planes observed a small party of Italian officers hiding by the water’s edge. The pilot reported the position, and a naval unit advised a British motor boat, which immediately took up the chase, which resulted in the capture of the party, one of whom was General Argentina, who was in command at Sidi Barrani.

R4-F. SUCCESSES. CATANIA AND BENINA. RUGBY, January 14. During a raid on a Sicilian aerodrome, the R.A.F. destroyed aircraft 'which were apparently German, according to an R.A.F. Middle East communique, which says: The aero- . drome at Catania, in Sicily, was heavily raided by bombers during thenight? of January 12/13. A series of attacks was made. Two hangars on the west side of the aerodrome were hit and set on fire, one being demolished. Another hangar, on the east side of the aerodrome,- waS also hit and set ablaze. Heavy explosions occurred, and numerous fires were started among the administration buildings. A petrol dump was set on fire and at least nine aircraft were destroyed. Other bombs hit the main runways, and the railway line along the west side of the aerodrome. The fires and explosions were visible from Cap Passero, 45 miles away. Two of our bombers failed to return to the base, but the crew of one was rescued when the aircraft made a forced landing. On the same night, raids were carried out on aerodromes at Berka and Benina, in Libya. Large fires were started at Benina, where six enemy aircraft were seen blazing on the ground. Many others are believed to have been put out of action by bomb splinters and subsequent ma-chine-gun fire. A large fire was still burning fiercely when our aircraft left The hangars and barracks were hit at Berka,, with subsequent explosions. . , ' -1 On the previous night, the railway and docks at Benghazi were attacked, a large explosion occurring. Raids were also made on the barracks and defences at Derna, fires being started among the barracks. Military concentrations at Barati, in Albania, were bombed by our aircraft, yesterday. Bombs fell in the target area, and although full observation of the results was not possible, owing to weather conditions, it is believed that direct hits were registered. Smoke was seen rising from the bridgehead in the south end o the town, when our aircraft, all of which returned safely, left the taigein Italian East Africa, night raids were also made on the aerodromes at Asmarat, Barentu, and Agowauat on January 12/13, while at Maiadaga a further attack was made on the Caproni workshops, where large fires were caused among the buildings. At Tessenti, yesterday, an attack was made on motor transport concentrations, one large and several small fires being started. From these operations m Bast Africa, all our aircraft returned safely.

ITALIAN FRANKNESS. (Received January 15, noon). ROME, January 14. The radio, broadcasting to America savs: “We have not denied, noi shall we deny that the have given us hard knocks m North Afiica. Our losses are considerable in mui and material, and there is no attemp to belittle the tachcal success General Wavell has succeeded m pbta lining The British offensive is well organised and the forces are magmfiequipped.. This is the reason for their success. We are prepared to take off our hats to them.

ITALIAN NON-COMBATANTS. RUGBY, January 14. The sharp reversal of fortune which has been suffered by the Italians i North Africa, has completely disillusioned the Fascists m East Africa, who based their hopes on an eariy conquest of Egypt and the Sudan. There is also growing evidence that within Abyssinia in particular, tne position of the Italians is becoming increasingly delicate. It is now nised that they are ringed about by British forces and cut off from ail

prospect of help from outside. Meanwhile they are faced with the spread of rebellion with Abyssinia, and anxiety for the safety of the families of Italians has led to requests for their shelter. . It is authoritatively stated in London that Britain is prepared to facilitate the evacuation of Italian women and children from East Africa if Italj desires this. As the prospect of ar Italian military defeat in East Africa in the near future appears very probable, the British authorities are concerned for the welfare of helpless Italian non-combatants. It is believed that the French’ authorities at Jibut are prepared to co-operate in arranging their return home.