Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1941. BRITISH TRIUMPHS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1941. BRITISH TRIUMPHS.

QBSESSEI) by the German great military successes in Europe, inadequate appreciation of the British triumphs in North and East Africa is general, yet enough has been done to surpass all expectations,' On paper, and according to military theories, the British Imperial Forces faced a tremendous task in opposing the Italian armies in Africa, and the most hopeful estimate of the British chance of success would not have been on the scale actually achieved, and so speedily. Mr. Churchill has disclosed how small General Wavell’sj force was when Italy entered th« Avar, and although reinforcements duly reached him, tlix? British - have throughout had to fight against An enemy greatly: superior in numbers, with the advantages of defending strong positions, instead of having to attiack these. .More publicity was given to the Libyan part of the campaign than to the Abyssinian, but -the latter has been very oneroufe, and the deeds of South Africans-, Rhodesians and Indians, deserve 'to rank high in Empire military aamals.

With the surrender of the Italian Viceroy and - Commander-in-

Chief, .the Duke of Aosta, a nephew of the King of Italy, and Arnba Alaga, the southern campaign may be regarded as ended, although strong Italian forces are holding out at one or two centres. The rainy season has started in Abyssinia, which will limit military activities, and meanwhile those Italians who have not yet surrendered need not be seriously regarded beyond nuisance value. Their supplies problem and the hostility of the natives will keep the Italians occupied. They may follow the Viceroy’s example, and give up what has become *a hopeless resistance. For all practical purposes, the Italian African Empire has collapsed, and the British people are entitled to be gratified. After a spell, most of the British forces engaged in Abyssinia and Somaliland will be available for transfer elsewhere, particularly in the North and Palestine, where Germans will be the chief foe. The Axis drive in Libya is still held, and the initiative is passing to the British, whose strategy is not so much to hold particular territory, but to destroy enemy forces and their transports and supplies. This is being done of late to some degree, and with reinforcements from the South and East, even greater British activity may be. expected. The Imperial Force, despite the reverses in Greece, is confident of its ability to deal with the Germans, and will be anxious for an opportunity to demonstrate superiority. The British task must not be belittled, but it is reasonable to reflect on what has been accomplished already, and to expect similar victories. North Africa, Palestine, the Suez and Iraq all have to be held against a strong enemy, but the latter has his special difficulties. Elsewhere than the Middle East, there is a lull, but Britain is having the better of the aerial activity over her shores and in enemy centres. If it seems probable that Turkey has no intention of aiding Britain, it is certain that U.S.A, is to do her utmost, even if this means actualentry into the war.