MOST DASHING EXPLOITS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 254, 25 September 1942, Page 5

MOST DASHING EXPLOITS

RAIDS ON AXIS' POSTS

(N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept, 23. Official quarters steadfastly refuse to disclose details of the mobile columns’ raids on Barce, Benghazi, and Gialo, hut correspondents agree that tho exploits are among tho bravest find most dashing that have been undertaken in the desert theatre for some time. The material results * r °m the raids were uot insignificant, hut it is pointed out that probably the most important result of those small operations is the feeling of insecurity which they produce along the entire length of the Axis lines of communication. Tho Daily Telegraph’s military correspondent states that tho raids will inevitably result in a strengthening of the Axis garrisons and a diversion to rear areas of an increased proportion of weapons and stores which otherwise would be available for the forward troops. Tho Cairo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that speciallytrained groups omployed sticky bombs in the destruction of places round Barce and Benghazi. G r ialo was occupied after sharp day-and-night fighting.

Behind the prosaic words of the Cairo communique announcing the long-range raids lies a story of audacity and courage that have been seldom equalled in the desert warfare, says the Cairo correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency. “The whole story cannot be told, because it would tell the enemy too much. The raiders on their return to their bases related details which make the hair stand on end.

“It was a masterpiece of planning and organisation to enable the mobile, hard-hitting force, equipped with artillery, to trek 5000 miles across tho desert wastes, deliver its blows, and then return a similar distance to the bases.” -, The Western Desert correspondent of the Times says, “These magnificent exploits are part and parcel of a systematic plan for damaging and disturbing the enemy’s supply arrangements, thus preventing, or at least delaying, the completion of Rommel’s immediate task of building up his battered army.”