LOSS IN AFRICA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 225, 21 August 1940, Page 7

LOSS IN AFRICA

BRITISH SOMALILAND MITIGATING FACTORS. (United Frees Association- —B.y Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British. Official Wireless.) Received August 21, 10.5 a.ni. RUGBY, Aug. 20. General regret at tlie evacuation of British Somaliland, summed up in the Times’s comment that “it represents a distressing setback,” is tempered here by the feeling that, as stated officially last night, the French secession had rendered such a course inevitable.

Commenting on the loss of prestige likely to result the Times says: “Prestige is a highly important 1 actor in war and it would be as futile to minimise it as to deny the disappointment which will be felt oyer the abandonment, for the time being, of British Somaliland. Yet it is a bad policy to fight for prestige alone when principle of economy of force suggests cutting losses and concentrating strength elsewhere. From the strategic point of view the Italians will gaincomparatively little by their capture. The final fate of British Somaliland will be determined, not upon her own barren soil, but in the theatres of war in which the main struggle will be fought out.” BERBERA OCCUPIED.

A Rome communique states: “The Italian forces have occupied Berbera, a section of which was set on fire by the British troops before embarking. An entire, well-armed company of the Camel Corps has surrendered. An Italian battalion made a surprise attack at Galabat, capturing ammunition and prisoners. The enemy bombed ,Geledi, Mogadishu, and Berbera. .There were 'no casualties, and only slight material “The enemy bombed a hospital at Derna (in Cyrenaica). One was killed and 22 were injured. An unidentified submarine is believed to have sunk after colliding with one of our mine barges off the Dodecanese Islands. Mussolini has telegraphed his eulogy to the Victorious troops. Telegraphing to the Duke of Aosta (Governor of Libya) Mussolini said: “All our soldiers have given superb proof of their valour and endurance. The next step in the advance will be made after a brief pause.” , , T( , The News Agency claims that Italian bomber formations raided Malta this morning.