CAMPAIGN IN LIBYA

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1942, Page 5

CAMPAIGN IN LIBYA

NO MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

LONDON, February 17

There is still no news of any major developments in the Libyan Desert. British mobile columns have continued their activities and have attacked enemy light forces • wherever they have been found from the coast west of El Gazala south to Tengeder. It is stated in London that there is no evidence that Marshal von Rommel has been able to continue his advance. “TANK-BUSTER” AIRCRAFT. LONDON, February 3. Aviation experts believe that the greatest lesson which the Libyan campaign has taught, and which must be driven home until the authorities demonstrate that they have learned it, is the Empire’s crying need for “tank-buster” aeroplanes. The preponderance of available evidence shows that tnis need is even more important than an increase in the gunpower of tanks. An aeroplane, makes a beter gun platform against a moving tank than a moving tank against a moving tank. A plane is also able to score hits on the more vulnerable upper parts ol a tank, at which an attacking tank cannot get. The British in the present Libyan campaign have used aircraft fitted with 20-millimctre cannon, which are partly but not fully effective. One expert whose opinions are highly valued, said in an interview: “A few squadrons of Hurricanes fitted with considerably heavier cannon than the present 20-millimetre cannon could deal with General Rommel s tank columns. It is obvious that Rommel had superiority in heavy tanks, and was able to make up losses through fighting and convoy sinkings more quickly than we could. “The United States can reinforce our tanks only by a long route, whereas we could have countered Rommel’s tank advantage by a lew squadrons of a readily-accessible tank buster type of plane, such as the Hurricane, which could be sent from England relatively quickly.” According to this expert it is possible that we are concentrating on too big a variety of heavy bombers, which all do the same work, take considerable man-hours for building, and require large skilled crews. J his policy affects Briitain’s total aircraft production.