BLASTING BENGHAZI

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 23 July 1941, Page 7

BLASTING BENGHAZI

INCREASED INTENSITY. SETBACK "FOR AXIS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (llec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. Taking advantage of the Luftwaffe’s preoccupation in Russia, the R.A.F. Middle East Command is ordering even heavier attacks on Benghazi and other strategic targets in Libya, reports the Associated Press correspondent in the Western Desert. With the R.A.F. keeping the backdoor of Benghazi closed, the Italians arc forced to bring the war materials for their armies and air force on the Libyan front nearly 1000 miles from Tripoli because Sirte, the only port between Tripoli and Benghazi, accommodates only the smallest coasters.

Documents captured show that tho morale of the Luftwaffe squadrons remaining in Libya is suffering under the strain of the difficult conditions. Letters accuse the Italian Generals of expecting too much from the air force. The air losses in Libya are ascribed to unexpected technical difficulties developing from desert flying and the British use of a special bomb scattering small splinters over an area of 500 yards. As there are no repair depots in Libya, planes may not function again after standing in dust storms waiting for spares and overhaul. A British Official Wireless message says A communique from General Headquarters at Cairo states that there is no j change in the situation on all fronts. ! It is learned in London that Italian ! deserters in the Wolchefit area, 50 miles north of Gondar, in Abyssinia, report ! that the enemy’s food situation is critical lint that the garrison has been ordered to fight to tho last. AMAZING ODDS. It is stated at Nairobi that infantry odds ot five to one and artillery odds of six to one in favour of the Italians in Somaliland and Abyssinia are disclosed in official figures published today on the strength ot General Cun ningliam’s victorious army. Its strength never exceeded 20.000 infantry and 68 guns against 90,000 Italian infantry and 400 guns. The figures disprove the Italian claim to have forced the British Em i pire to keep vast forces in Abyssinia. ENEMY DIGGING IN. SEQUEL TO LOSSES. LONDON, July 22. Heavy casualties were inflicted on enemy patrols in two clashes around Tobruk. One occurred oil the coast between the Bardia road and the sea. The other was westward of the El Adorn road, where the enemy counterattacked against ' Indian troops, but was driven back by bayonets. Australian and Indian patrols have seized prisoners from 10 or 12 parts of the enemy lines and have also made no-man’s-land theirs, right up to the enemy's barbed wire.

An Australian officer said most of the Italians were extremely young. They were seared of the Indians and were easy prey lor the veteran Diggers. Along the main desert front the Italians and Germans are digging in around Solium and Hell Fire Pass, where the sound of blasting is heard throughout the day.

Three developments are emphasised by the Daily Mail’s. Western Desert correspondent. First, the Germans are building fortifications on the Libyan frontier. Secondly, Italian pilots and planes have again apjieared. Thirdly, more British fighters are flying than previously on this front. It is believed that Italians are piloting German fighters. The conclusion is that Hitler is withdrawing personnel and possibly also planes from Libya. The R.A.F. dominates the desert sky with more modern planes than previously. POLES TO FIGHT. LONDON, July 22. It is stated that an agreement Ik> tween the Soviet Union and Poland will result in the liberation of 300.000 Polish prisoners to fight against Germany, possibly alongside the Britons in the Middle East if the immense transport problem can be solved.