BATTLE IN EGYPT

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1942, Page 5

BATTLE IN EGYPT

AXIS EXPECTATIONS EXPEDITONFROM WEST LONDON, October 22. . VThe big battle of North Africa is about to start,” says the Pans radio. “The lull may end at any moment. Both sides are accumulating huge masses of war material for the great clash.” The “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent says: Some sources at Vichy suggest that any Allied attack from West Africa is more likely to be directed against Libya than against Dakar. They assert that forces equalling, and probably exceeding the Eighth Army have been concentrated in regions north of Lake Chad. These consist mainly of Americans and Fighting French, with a powerful nir force and a wealth of tanks, guns and tractors. This force is reported to be capable of crossing 700 miles of desert to the Mediterranean. Vichy military circles assert that the route over the desert was reconnoitred when a mobile armoured column recently raided Benghazi aerodrome and that an attack had not yet been launched because it is necessary to build up immense reserves at the bases, and also along the lines of the march, which will follow three main caravan routes.” The correspondent adds: Success in this drive would sweep the French North Africa to De Gaulle, and would again give Mediterranean supremacy to the British Navy, and be the beginning of an effective second front in the south.

AERIAL ACTIVITIES LONDON, October 22. Air operations were the chief, activity from Egypt on Tuesday night and Wednesday. The latest Cano communique says: “Apart from P a Hol activity there is nothing to lepoit from our land forces.” “On Tuesday night our bombeis raided Tobruk, El Daba, and the coastal road,” states the communique. “Our night fighters attacked enemy transport and encampments. . “Air operations continued over the batle area yesterday, the chief targets being enemy forward L.nd IL, grounds, although enemy stores, transport, and supply dumps were also attacked. Long-range fighters attacked lorries on the Gambut-Sidi Barrani road. The enemy was kept cm the defensive and lost three lighters. “Over Malta attacks were made by enemy fighters and hghter-bombers. Damage was on a small scale, one Italian Macchi 202 aircraft was shot down without loss. From all these operations three of our aircraft nave not returned.”