SECRET NOT KEPT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 263, 6 October 1942, Page 2

SECRET NOT KEPT

RECENT BARCE EXPLOIT. (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Ree. 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 5. It is difficult to avoid the con- ■ elusion that recent long-distance raids on enemy bases in Libya were greatly hampered and the men taking part exposed to unnecessary risk through apparent leakages of information, says the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent in tiie Western Desert.

Although the Bnrec force reached its goal 500 miles in the rear of the enemy lines without interference, it found every aircraft guarded by five sentries armed with machine-guns and tommy-guns. Consequent what should have been a surprise affair involved a stiff struggle, and the objective of destroying dozens of enemy aircraft was achieved only after unexpectedly strong resistance. Our losses were considerably heavier than they should have been. It transpired that the enemy forces were considerably heavier than they should have been and were evidently also fully informed of the British retreat line and arranged an armoured car ambush a few miles from Barce from which the raiding party was forced to escape by driving straight at the enemy 7 vehicles and bowling them over.