HAVOC IN DESERT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23767, 21 September 1940, Page 11

HAVOC IN DESERT

: ;|EN, machines and supplies -,7,' s ~ " bombarded by land, sea, air t r ■ i • COLUMN FURROWED IN SWIFT RAID \ ' 'By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 'JO, 5.30 p.m.) '' LONDON. Sept. 20 v ; \The Italian forces marching on Egypt are suffering severely under an unceasing bombardment from land, sea and air, which is taking heavy toll 'of their men and machines and causing havoc to their jsupply convoys. This punishment is being inflicted in spite of this boast by the Italian leader, Marshal Graziani, that his men have fmarched and fought on only one litre of water a day. .' i While the Italians are consolidating their supplies they have not attempted to advance from Sidi Barrani, says a message from CairoJ The bombardment by the three British fighting Services has been Intensified. The Royal Air Force is now using aeroplanes of the mjodern long-range type, carrying heavier loads for long distances The bombing of Benghazi, on the coast of Libya, is the firs£ evidence of this new power. Invaders Caught Unprepared , officially stated that Tuesday's fighting was much heavier than at! first reported. The Italians, pouring in to Sidi Barrani too rapidly,, made the first blunder in an excellently organised march. ■ Both' the Royal Air Force and British artillery caught them before! they were ready, and solidly plastered their congested troop-cjarriers, supply waggons and tanks. The wreckage was too drasticjyet to be estimated. The British light mechanised patrols simultaneously carried out a manoeuvre in which they must now be the world's experts, namely, cutting in with a series of high-speed hit and run raids. Elren gun carriers, spurting across the desert at 40 miles an hour, ploughed a furrow through the long Italian column, then dashed off in clouds of dust. The Royal Air Force chose this moment for its deepest raids into Libya. The machines made their first 1000-mile return flights to. Benghazi, roasting the aerodrome with high-explosive and incendiary bombs. Problems of Petrol and Water Thei Royal Air Force now has a target all along the coast from Sidfi Barrani to-Benghazi, and impartially by the light of sun and -moon is bombarding communications which Graziani must keep up fif he is to avoid failure, Graziani apparently has as many troops in Egypt as he can handle aind is concentrating on the supply situation, particularly petrol and water. Tank waggons and lorries laden with barrels are lumbering alqng the dusty tracks. A njiessage from Melbourne says the Prime Minister of Australia, Mj. R. G. Menzies,, said the men of the Australian Imperial Force in jthe Middle East might meet .the Italians in combat "at any moment." He added that the time was coming when Australia woßld be asked more and more to reinforce its troops in the MidcSle East,, so that that gateway should not be locked to the Empiije.