ITALIAN VERSION

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

ITALIAN VERSION

PINCERS MOVEMENT "BRITISH FORCES FLEE" SHIPS AND TROOP COLUMNS LONDON, Sept. 10 A message from Rome says Marshal Graziani reported to Mussolini that Sidi Barrani was occupied when the enemy, after resisting inch by inch, was finally upset by an Italian pincers movement and hurriedly retreated to Mersa Matruh, destroying munition dumps and salting wells. He claimed that the British lost over half of- their numerous armoured units.

A Rome communique says British naval units started a bombardment of Italian troops between Bardia and Sidi Barrani, but the Italian Air Force intervened and bombed the enemy ships, forcing them to flee. A 10,000-ton British cruiser was torpedoed from the air and seriously damaged.

"We again bombed and machinegunned enemy columns and mechanised units which were fleeing everywhere," the communique claims. "We also bombed Mersa Matruh and other military targets.

"The enemy • raided Tobruk, Boma and Benghazi, but limited damage was done. The British also made an air raid on Rhodes, Leros and Amny. Fires were started but there were no casualties. The British raided Kassala, Assab. Jiavello, Mogadishu, Diredawa, Zeila and Mersa Taclai, killing seven and wounding 13."