DESERT FLIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 7

DESERT FLIGHT

MR. MENZIES ON TOUR VIEW OF BATTLEFIELDS VISIT PAID TO TOBRUK SYDNEY, Feb. 14. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. R. G. Menzies, accompanied by General Sir Thomas Blarney, has returned to Cairo after a visit to Australian troops at the scene of their victories, says Mr. lan Fitchett in a despatch to the Sydney Sun from Cairo. Leaving Cairo early in the morning, Mr. Menzies, General Blarney, and the official party, flew direct to Tobruk. From Sidi Barrani onward it was possible to follow the whole story of the campaign from the air. The Italian defences were boldly etched on the brown surface of the desert, and their abandoned transport, guns, supplies and hospitals told the complete story of their rout. Ruins of Fort Capuzzo Solium harbour was blue in the morning sun, and teemed with activity. The escarpment stood out boldly, and Lhe aeroplane followed the winding road up its side, and thence to the battered white ruins of Fort Capuzzo.

In a few minutes the aeroplane was over Bardia, and it was possible to explain to Mr. Menzies the whole picture of the action as the machine circled low over the perimeter. The original entrance gaps could be picked out, and the tank trap wound like a snake in front of the grey mass of wire.

The enemy defences looked even more formidable as the aeroplane swooped over them. Line after line, back to the heights overlooking the .own, they seemed never-ending. Scene of Epic Fight The machine flew down the perimeter to the Wadi Mautered, where Post Eleven could be seen dominating the deep approaches. Here was fought the epic fight of the battle, and Mr. Menzies was amazed at the ruggedness of the ground. On went the aeroplane, following the road to Tobruk. Here again the whole plan of action was followed from the air right round the 30 miles of defensive ditches and wire. Dotting the ground were enemy batteries, their guns pointing mutely in the air. Sunken Enemy Ships The aeroplane swept round the harbour, which seemed filled with Italian shipping, ghostlike under the water’s surface. A landing was made on the aerodrome near the harbour, and the party at once proceeded to the Wadi Auda. This oasis was the first green spot seen since leaving the Nile Delta area.

In the early morning, with the wadi walls rising steeply on either side, a large body of troops was drawn up, iteel-helmeted and battle-stained, and was addressed by Mr. Menzies. The Prime Minister and his party devoted the rest of the day to sightseeing and flew back to Cairo the next day.