WESTERN DESERT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 24 October 1940, Page 5

WESTERN DESERT

HARASSING OPERATIONS ITALIAN MOVE EXPECTED | SOON NEW ZEALANDERS AT WARi POSTS [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyrtght) CAIRO, 22nd October. Apart from a marked strengthening of the British positions, there is little change in the military situation in the Western! Desert, though with increasing rain showers heralding the ap-1 proach of winter it is reasonable to suppose that Marshal Grazi-j ani’s order for the second stage j of the Italian advance can be I expected shortly. The present land activities are confined to strong enemy reconnaissance patrols attempting to ascertain the wnereabouts of the British outposts. There is occasionally a short, sharp skirmish when British forward armoured units encounter Italian reconnaissance patrols, but the latter invariably retire because apparently they are instructed not to engage the enemy. Italian airmen are busy photographing the new British strong points, which have been so enormously improved in the last month. The British are prepared to meet large-scale offensives. Waves of R.A.F. bombers continue to pound the enemy’s rear, operating between Sidi Barrani and Benghazi from dusk to dawn. The Italians are replying with attacks on the British desert camps, which are so well camouflaged and dispersed that the casualties are very few. The Italian front line troops are composed entirely of Libyan divisions under General Gallini, who superseded General Maletti as Marshal Graziani’s second in command. General Gallini is experiencing difficulty in preparing his troops for an advance on Egypt. They are all Moslems and are showing marked reluctance to move deeper into Egyptian territory. Moreover, many are pure Egyptians from Upper Egypt who settled in Cyrenaica and were conscripted shortly after the outbreak of war. In addition, many Libyans belong to the Senussi tribe, whose spiritual leader, Saved Idriss El Senussi, openly declares his friendship with the British cause and his condemnation of Mussolini. General Gallini undoubtedly is able to compel his divisions to advance when ordered, but he has probably counselled delay till Ramadan ends twelve days hence. Marshal Graziani will probably await the first full moon after Ramadan, because the moon plays an important part in desert operations. The enormous improvement in the desert defences has done much to hearten the British troops, who awaft the onslaught with quiet confidence. A special correspondent touring the Western Desert front visited the New Zealanders, who have discarded their famous hats for topees. They are greatly pleased to be at war posts after long months of training. The night before the visit enemy raiders had bombed the New Zealanders’ camp, but they were inclined to regard the bombs as part of their training. Their spare time is spent in fishing, bathing, and wandering along the shore searching for wreckage which is beginning to be washed up on desert coasts. The New Zealanders, like the remainder of the British forces, are beginning to disappear underground. Entering each headquarters is like exploring the tombs of Egypitian kings. Tents are pitched in sandpits and sandbagged above. Even motor transports are provided with trenches. ITALIAN REPORT (Received 24th October, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, 23rd October. An Italian communique says: “The R.A.F. attacked troops between Solium and Sidi Barrani. There were some casualties. The R.A.F. also attacked Burgavo, Asmara and Gura without result.