Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1942. LIBYA—AND ELSEWHERE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1942. LIBYA—AND ELSEWHERE.

DISAPPOINTMENT over the British retreat in Libya, will be accentuated by reports that Tobruk has so soon been surrendered, despite the claims of a day or two ago, that the fortress was adequately armed, manned and provisioned for a siege of several months. Something has gone radically, wrong with the British forces, and it is ominous that the U.S.A, citizens in Egypt have been advised to evacuate the country. It is stated that General Ritchie’s new line of defence on the Egyptian frontier, is strong, and should be able to repel all assaults, especially as his communications and his supply lines will be shorter, and reinforcements are being rushed up. The public have been misled so long by optimistic reports and estimates from Cairo, that it is no wonder strong protests are being made in Britain, and that an early inquiry into the whole business is demanded.

At this stage, any inquiry worth while would be difficult to hold, but drastic reorganisation seems to be imperative. Were Rommel able to advance well into Egypt, a very serious situation would arise. It may have been wise strategy, under present circumstances, not to.defend Tobruk, but in British hands, it was a base of great “nuisance” value, and the enemy will now secure similar benefits. It may be true that territory is of little importance in this campaign, but it is probable that the British retreat has also meant loss of many lives, thousands of prisoners, and huge stores of armaments and supplies. so arduously gathered together. The British are now back where they were before any of the Libyan campaigns started. Against their losses in this area during the past two years, must be set their own captures of enemy troops and stores, and, what is more important, the stoppage of any serious Axis advance on Egypt. If this can be maintained, Rommel will have lost the campaign, despite li is recent successes.

This is a world war, Libya being but part of the mammoth front, and it will be interesting - to note the effect in other areas of the happening - in the Libya sector. Will these expedite the Anglo-U.S.A. invasion of the Continent, in order to draw off Axis reinforcements for Rommel. or will the Allies decide to postpone, or lessen, the Continental enterprise, devoting more attention to withstanding the Axis drive in the Middle East? The Allies’ “second front” has now received as much preliminary publicity as Hitler s “Spring offensive.” Only three or four months of suitable weather remain this year for major operations on the Continent, and what has to be done must soon be startf disclosure that large numbers of African troops are now in Britain, as well as in Ulster, suggests that the Allies’ plans are well forward, and great news may break any week. Ihe Libyan reverses have come at a time when happenings elsewhere were mainly in the Allies’ favour, the continued shipping losses being the chief cause for regret. These happier aspects of the world picture must not be overshadowed by the North African unpleasantness. The Allies will have to take the good with the bad, until their growing strength renders the latter Y>f negligible proportions. while, there is no excuse for those in Allies’ high places who mislead thenown people as to the course of events.