ITALIANS CAPTURED

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 5

ITALIANS CAPTURED

Number Many Thousands [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 9. A Cairo communique states: Advanced elements of our armoured forces in Libya have occupied El Ageila. Meanwhile, the clearance of the battlefields south of Benghazi is continuing. In addition to a commander and corps commander, already reported as captured, five other senior generals and many thousands of prisoners have been taken. Owing to the extent of the area covered by the final operation, it will be some time before the exact numbers of prisoners and the amount of war materials can be assessed.

A message from Cairo says that some 4000 Italian prisoners will be engaged in road building in the captured territory. The lines of strategy now apparently open to General Sir Archibald Wavell are either to follow the motor road along the coast for about 600 miles to Tripoli, through sands and barren wastes and occasional settlements, or to land an invading force east of Tripoli, which would serve the dual purpose of storming tne town and cutting off the Italians retreating from the east. The capture of Benghazi cuts the Italian supply line to Abyssinia, for which it was an air junction.

General Berganzoli, who was captured at Benghazi, is sometimes called “Electric Whiskers.” He is the Black Shirt commander whose capture was announced when Bardia was taken. It was discovered that a mistake had been made, and that General Berganzoli had deserted his troops and escaped. As an Alpini officer, General Berganzoli fought in the Great War as a captain, then in Abyssinia as a colonel. When the war in Spain broke out, he joined the ranks of the “volunteers,” and was put in charge of the Black Shirts. There is little comment in Germany on the fall of Benghazi, a radio report saying that it was for Italy to act, not Germany.

Ten Thousand Prisoners TAKEN IN BENGHAZI REGION lAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] BENGHAZI, February 10. Prisoners have been pouring in throughout the day as the British continue mopping up. At least ten thousand have already been taken. Seven generals have also been taken prisoner. So far in North Africa nineteen generals and one admiral have been captured.