IMPACT AWAITED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 215, 9 August 1940, Page 7

IMPACT AWAITED

ITALIAN ONSLAUGHT. BRITISH TROOPS READY. LONDON, Aug. 8. Heavily outnumbered because of the defection of the French, the British troops in the Middle East are confidently awaiting the full impact of the Italian advance in British Somaliland and a possible onslaught on Egypt. Estimates of the Italian strength in Abvsrinia and Italian Somaliland range from 35.000 to 100.000 white troops and 100,000 or more native troops. Italy’s forces in Libya are reported to comprise 250 000 white and native troops, with also a numerical superiority in planes. It is authoritatively stated in London that tlie road to Cairo and the riches of Egypt are barred bv the smaller bub highlv-efficient British force, consisting of British, Anzac and African troops. The Daily Express says that tho most bitter air battle of the war in East Africa, was fought out yesterday over Italv’s chief overseas war base, Massawa ~ in Eritrea. Flights of British bombers attacked squadrons or Italian ships which Mussolini lias 'concentrated at Massawa in an attempt to smash the Red Sea route to Egypt. The British ’planes also bombed antiaircraft batteries, during which they encountered strong formations or enemy fighters, but no British ’planes were lost. RAID ON MASSAWA. Two major ammunition and petrol dumps at Massawa were severely damaged, and a series of hits were made on a dockyard where three submarines, one cruiser, two destroyers and a number of supply vessels were caught unawares. One big vessel was leaving the wharves and it suddenly veered to escape the bombs. The warships frantically called their crews aboard and started zig-zagging to tho open sea. One of the British machines was hit by shrapnel and fell back whereupon three Italian fighters attacked, but other British pilots drove them off. A series of furious combats ensued, but the British emerged without loss.

The R.A.F. lias carried out continuous raids since Monday and made 20 attacks on tlic Italia i docks, hangars, workshops and troop concentrations. Over 50 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped, and thousand> of rounds cf ammunition were shot into military camps. The arrival of new British bombers on this front has been a shattering surprise for the Italians. PROBLEMS FOR DUCE. It is expected that the news from British Somaliland will continue to be scanty and spasmodic. Many London newspapers, commenting on the Italian advance, ask: Even if the Italians do capture Berbera, the what will be its use to them when they only objective of any importance, do not have command of the seas? It is also remarked that the Italian advance was only made possible by tho collapse of France and the loss of Jibuti, which enabled the Italians to pass from the defensive to the offensive. Referring to iho likelihood of an Italian attack from Libya, newspaper comment is that the Italians would have to advance along the coastal region or into the Nile Valley. In neither case was the question of water supplies an easy problem, and the coastal route was within range of shell fire from warships. The Daily Express comments that this area is defended by the best of British troops—tho Australians and the New Zealanders—and reinforcements could arrive through the Red Sea.