Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1940 BRITAIN’S MEDITERRANEAN STRONGHOLDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 17 August 1940, Page 6

Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1940 BRITAIN’S MEDITERRANEAN STRONGHOLDS

THE fall of France and the loss of her influence in the Western Mediterranean, have increased the importance of the powerful fortresses of Gibraltar and Malta, which are not only symbols of Britain’s power in the Middle Sea one of the world’s greatest trade routes —but enable her to dominate the maritime traffic passing from the Atlantic to Suez, and vice versa. If, therefore, Britain’s enemies were to formulate designs against Gibraltar, they would not be doing anything astonishing. History reveals the fact that Gibraltar sustained two or three prolonged sieges during the French wars, but was never in jeopardy. The question is, however, what sort of resistance would the fortress be able to maintain in the face of modern artillery, assisted by aircraft, parachutes etc., and the same may be said of Malta. Writing on the situation in the Mediterranean, Mr Edwin Gage says, “Standing sentinel for Britain in the Mediterranean Sea are the two fortresses of Gibraltar and Malta. They are the bases for the Mediterranean Fleet, the guard-stations on the life-line to Suez. More than that, they are the symbols of the nation’s strength.” Today, with Italy at war with Britain, they are focal points of the world’s attention. But Britain’s enemies also give them considerable attention. Since Italy come into the war Malta has been subjected to air-raids almost daily, “but such attacks have been but half-hearted, up to the present, which seems to be a decided tribute to the strength of Malta’s anti-aircraft defences, and to the British Navy’s ability to deal with aircraft effectually.” Though Gibraltar was known to the Romans as one of the Pillars of Hercules, Malta’s history as a fortress dates back to more ancient times. We read that Hannibal, the great hero of Carthage, was born there, that Cicero chose it as his place of refuge when he was banished from Rome. It will be remembered that St. Paul was shipwrecked there. Gibraltar Malta Cyprus, these are Britain’s points of vantage in the Mediterranean which safeguard the route to the Suez Canal, and she will guard them at all costs. The strategical position in the Middle East—where Australian and New Zealand troops form part of the British forces—and in the Mediterranean, are dealt with in more detail in a news article appearing in this issue. It may be added that when the Italian Dictator says the Mediterranean Sea is an Italian lake he is forgetting the fact that British vessels traded to that sea in the middle ages, centuries before the Italian kingdom was formed, which was less than a c.entury ago, and that if there is any idea of excluding British vessels from the Middle Sea it will be stubbornly contested. Disraeli dubbed Cyprus “the key of Western Asia.” To-day it is the best place from which to guard thfe Haifa pipe-line and the northern entrance to the Suez Canal. Proposals were made some little time ago for dredging a deep anchorage for warships in the harbour of Famagusta, and making the port a second Gibraltar, but so far all that seems to have been done is to take steps to put the island into a state of defence. However, it may be asked if this is the time to undertake great construction works. Probably it is wise to wait till the war is over and won, before undertaking great works at Cyprus. But the possession of the island will be safeguarded, and in due course will doubtless be made one of Britain’s strong points in the Middle Sea.

A cable message from Gibraltar states it is reported from Ceuta (Spanish Morocco) that 16,000 Spanish troops have landed from Spain with guns and light and medium tanks, and are proceeding inland from Tetuan. Their destination is believed to be the border of the International Zone. There are also persistent rumours that Spain will enter the war against Britain. One suggestion is that if Spain does not take Gibraltar the Italians will, meaning that Spain will lose it permanently. 1 he fear has for some time been expressed by many writers that Germany and Italy would induce General Franco to throw in his lot with them in return for the assistance they gave him in the Spanish civil war.