British Forces Enter Italian Territory

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 307, 16 December 1940, Page 7

British Forces Enter Italian Territory

Enemy Attempt to Rally Broken NAVAL VESSEL DAMAGED IN RAID ON NAPLES DAVENTRY, 1 a.m. The latest official statement on the fighting in the Western Desert says: “The British forces pressing back the enemy have penetrated Italian territory.” This brief announcement shows that the desperate Italian attempt to halt the victorious British advance has failed. The Italian stand was made at Solium, near the border, where “Hell Fire” Pass, the precipitious stretch of road leading from the beach over the escarpment at Solium, had to be negotiated by the fleeing Italians. Here they met a withering fire from British artillery and the constant attacks of the R.A.F. Already considerable Italian forces have been observed leaving Bardia, which was expected to be the point at which the Italians would endeavour to dig in, but they are now apparently making for Tobruk, and the rearguard at Solium had to put up some sort of resistance to cover the retreat. The latest official message indicates that the resistance has been of no avail. Judging by an Italian communique, Italy itself is again feeling the effect of British air power. Rome admits that Naples was bombed three times last night, the attacks being directed on the harbour and industrial area. A unit of the Italian Navy is admitted to have been hit and damaged, 30 members of the crew being killed, while another vessel also sustained damage. The British mechanised units are pressing the Italians hard, but a slowing down of the momentum is to be expected. It is still not revealed whether the British intend to carry the war much beyond the frontier. British warships and merchantmen are ferrying thousands of prisoners to Alexandria in an endeavour to relieve the land communications. The British military authorities are faced with the problem of providing for the prisoners. As an instance of the difficulties involved, one of the military stores has been asked to find 10,000 blankets! [The above news was received direct on a ‘•Columbus” calibrated short-wave radio.]