TROOPS IN LIBYA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23384, 28 June 1939, Page 13

TROOPS IN LIBYA

THREAT TO EGYPT POWERFUL AIR FLEET HUGE MILITARY DEPOTS SUPPLIES OF MATERIAL LONDON, June 23 A special investigator of the Daily Telegraph who has just visited Libya, the Italian colony in North Africa, travelled from Tripoli to Benghazi by air and then motored along the Litora Nea Highway, visiting Cyrcne, Dcrna and Tobruk, to within 70 miles of the Egyptian border centre, Solium. He reached important conclusions:— Firstly, that Italy could defend Libya with half or two-thirds of the present garrison. Secondly, that her military air force is already more powerful than those of Tunisia and Egypt combined, and also that, like the army, it could be more easily reinforced. Thirdly, that the quantity of artillery exceeds the capacity of the personnel to handle it. Fourthly, that the construction is rapidly proceeding of enormous military depots, particularly around Tripoli, which is the safest port of debarkation from Italy. Fifthly, that the road system leading to Egypt and running parallel with the great Litora Nea, from Acroina through Gasr el Arid, has been vastly improved. Saving Abyssinia The garrison, consisting of the 21st Army Corps, accompanied by native troops, is not at present in attacking positions, being concentrated between Cyrcne and Dcrna —the latter being the only source of water supply and thus between 180 and 250 miles from the Egyptian frontier. If Germany dragged Italy into a war, he declares, Italy's first objective must be to save the garrison and the Imperial glory in Abyssinia. J.he only wav would be through Egypt, and this would be a difficult job. There would be no "Promenade to Cairo," and the task would necessarily involve a direct assault on Egypt's principal fortress at Mersa Matruh. The approach would be along a long, bombable and waterless road on a narrow coastal front, against powerful natural defences. It would also necessitate the carrying out of demoralising bombardments of Alexandria and Cairo.

Across "Waterless Desert Tlie investigator was not permitted to visit Acroina —where there is a big camp —Jarabub, or the Kufra Oases. The Mechanised Camel Corps strongly holds Jaral ,ih, opposite the Egyptian Oasis oT Siwa, which might be vulnerable. But it is difficult to see, he continues, how the Italians would proceed farther for the attack on Mersa Matruli across 250 miles of waterless desert exposed to air attack. "Regarding Kufra," he continues, "if anything is cooking there, it is not for Egypt's dish, but for Wadi Haifa (the Sudan). The visit caused me anxiety, in spite of the fact that officers and men. do not wish war against Britain. Unfortunately, the army docs not control events. Marshal Balbo, the Governor-General of Libya, was formerly regarded as a firebrand, whose eyes sparkled at the mention of Suez. He is now more enthusiastic about mass colonisation." The investigator concludes that the danger might never arise if Egypt's troops and air force are quickly and adequately reinforced.

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE AIR FORCE EXPANSION SQUADRONS FOR OVERSEAS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Juno 20 Tho Secretary of State for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood, in opening the annual conference of the Empire Press Union, revealed plans for increasing Empire air defence :in the next two years. He said there would be a greater number of permanent squadrons overseas, including general reconnaissance types of machines, in order to protect vital trade interests. Volunteer reserve training facilities would also be established where Royal Air Force units were already stationed. The rapid development in the speed and range of modern aircraft, might well revolutionise Empire defence in the direction of tho reinforcement of any part of it in a matter of hours, which was rapidly becoming a definite possibility. The unification of the Empire's defence offered great hope for the future. Sir Kingsley expressed satisfaction at the largo proportion of Empire raw materials used in aircraft production in Britain.