Fall of Italian Stronghold Imminent

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 4, 6 January 1941, Page 5

Fall of Italian Stronghold Imminent

AUSTRALIANS WENT THROUGH DEFENCES LIKE WHIRLWIND Received Sunday, 9.15 p.m. LONDON, January 4. A special Headquarters communique issued at Cairo confirms that over 8000 prisoners have been taken at Bardia. It adds: “The operations are proceeding satisfactorily.” Other sources say the fall of Bardia is imminent. The British Associated Press’ Rome correspondent says the Italians are reported to be attempting to rush reinforcements to Bardia. La Tribuna says troops are arriving to reinforce the line for the final clash. General Blarney, commander of the Australian forces, interviewed by the Sunday Dispatch’s special Cairo correspondent, said: “My men came up to the highest expectations. Much of their success was due to long training in night patrol work and individual fighting, but it was their keenness and confidence which took them through Bardia’s defences like a whirlwind.” The success of the Australians in taking part of the outer defences of Bardia in the rear in the attack commencing at dawn on Friday is acclaimed in the press. .Mr. Spender, the Australian Minister of the Army, accompanied by the Chief of the Australian General Staff, has arrived in Cairo. American newspapers feature the Australian success in Libya. The New York Post has in two-inch type across the entire front page “Australians in Bardia,” Most of the papers publish photographs of the Australian troops in Libya. The British Associated Press correspondent with the Army of the Nile reports that the Italians, from December 8 to the time they recrossed the Libyan frontier, had not captured a single person, piece of material or document. The Navy fired over 300 tons of shells during the bombardment of Bardia.