WAR IN AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1940, Page 5

WAR IN AFRICA

DESERT FIGHT BRITISH FORCES’ SUCCESS. .(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CAIRO, December 9. British desert forces struck at the Italians on a broad front in the Sidi Barrani region. Their action can be described more as a great raid than as a general offensive, although it is likely to lead to a more extensive offensive. This latest action required considerable preparations, which were carried out with the greatest secrecy. Tlio troops had to cross eight miles of a. “No Man’s Land.” Supplies, including petrol, were taken up at the dead of night, and buried in the sand, all being achieved without the knowledge of the Italians. At least the Italians were not disturbed by the preparations. When the preparations wore complete, the Britishers attacked a camp at Mabeya, southward of Sidi Barrani, at dawn on Monday, and completed the . operation at ten a.m., while other units were advancing in other parts of the same region. The General Headquarters is satisfied with the early operations. It indicated an extension, which' will depend, partly, on the vigour of the opposition encountered. Fighting in the Western Desert was continuing on Monday night. Iho • present activity is on the largest scale of any British operations in Africa since the outbreak of the war. The operation is mainly directed against , the Italians’ right flank along the top of an escarpment between 15 and 20 miles from the coast. General Wavell personally gave British, American and Turkish war correspondents the first news of the British attack less than fbur hours after its commencement. Leaning crosslegged against a desk with both hands in his pockets, General Wavell said: “Gentlemen, I asked you here to tell you our forces began to carry out an engagement against Italian armies in the Western Desert at dawn" Two hours ago, I received word that we captured an Italian camp.” AIR FORCE CO-OPERATES CAIRO, December 9. A special R.A.F. communique says: “Working in close co-operation with the Army, Royal Air Force ’planes harassed enemy troops in the Western Desert throughout the day, heavily damaging motor transport and enemy personnel by continuous bombing and machine-gun fire. Successful patrols were carried out over our advancing troops. Two enemy fighters were shot down. Enemy aerodromes were also bombed in support of military operations, particularly Benina, which was raided in waves from dusk to dawn, over 20 tons of bombs falling in the target area. The first raiders created fires which increased during the night by subsequent bombing until the whole aerodrome appeared ablaze. Sidi Barrani, Solium and Bardia were also attacked.” “The Times” Cairo correspondent says:’ The Royal Air Force bombing' at Caste! Benito was one of the most important operations carried out in Libya.’ Castel Benito is the principal Italian Air Force depot in Libya, and also a point at which the bulk of the petrol and Air Force stores from Italy are assembled and distributed to the aerodromes throughout Libya. Castel Benito* probably is one of the bases whence many air raids against Malta are carried out. The Royal Air loice raid can be regarded as a most serious blow struck at Italy’s Air, Force in Libya at a time when she needs it more than ever.” BRITISH ADVANCE BY NIGHT LONDON, December 10. .“The Times” Cairo correspondent says: It can now be revealed that a forward movement of British troops began on Saturday night, when they pushed forward in, the darkness over the greater part of an SO-milo belt between Mers-a Matruli and Sidi Barrani. On Sunday, they lay up in the open .desert, every vehicle and gun carefully, camouflaged against aircraft. The advance was continued on Sunday night, bringing the troops within striking distance of the Italians. On. Monday morning the first thrust was made resulting in the capture of Mabeya (as cabled earlier), the southernmost of a group of Italian fortified camps situated southward of Sidi Barrani, which are apparently General WavcH’s immediate objective. ’ The first batch, 500, was taken prisoner when Britishers attacked the camp at Mabeya. A second hatch was taken ten miles (further southward, where the enemy also was taken by surprise. OFFENSIVE SPIRIT GENERAL LONDON, December 9. A Cairo correspondent says: To-day, just six months after the Italian entry into tlio war. finds British forces m the Middle East taking the offensive on most of the fronts. Op the Abyssinian border. Sudanese troops are hammering daily and nightly with artillery and machine-guns against Italian positions at Moteinma and Kassala. R.A.F. ’planes are backing them. 1 lie Royal Navy is scouring both the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, seeking an opportunity for attack. t> *a y ’planes are battering Albanian towns as the. Greeks advance. A staff officer summed up the position as

“incomparably better than when France fell, and much better than two months ago. But the situation is stik difficult. It is full of possibilities. We are quietly confident. All three services have been strengthened, and tlu. Dominions are just getting into their stride on big scale support for us. It probably will be a long war.” AN ENFILADING MOVEMENT LONDON, December 10. Tt is believed that thousands of prisoners have been captured by the British in the fighting in North Alrir.i and that are Libyans, of whom the Dalian front line forces ... tlu- Western Desert- region mostly consist Tt appears that a British attack m developing on the Italians' right flank, probahlv a surprise enfilading movernent. with the object of driving the Italians to the sea. where the Bo.xul N .,vv would make tl.eir posit,on hopeless.' Tim Italians are estimated to occupy a front of about 30 'miles.