SUPPLY CONVOYS BATTERED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 9

SUPPLY CONVOYS BATTERED

TARGETS FOR BRITISH MOBILE UNITS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 24, 7.15 p.m.) IXDNDON, S»pt. 23 British 25-pound guns, machine-guns and bombers continue to take advantage of the excellent targets which the Italian supply convoys present in Egypt. The Italians, on the other hand, hava no targets in the mobile British units for their retaliatory fire. The Italians are paying a heavy toll for every yard of their advance and for every gallon of petrol or round of ammunition brought up from the rear. ,Britain's main desert forces are based at Mersa Matruh, where they await the moment for a major attack. The Senussi desert tribes are also poised, ready to swoop on the Italian rear and flanks and on bases and outposts. An Italian column has now repaired the mine-blasted roads from the Libyan escarpment. Other units are penetrating westward along the rough desert track, south of the coastal track, in an attempt to; protect the main advance and cover the consolidation of the Italian positions at Solium and Sidi Barrani. The British hit hard and methodically whenever the enemy exposes himself. The Egyptian authorities have begun rounding up all the Italians in Cairo as a precaution, and 7000 have already been detained. Similar measures are being taken throughout Egypt, but an earlier newspaper report that martial law had been imposed is denied. It is authoritatively stated that Britain is satisfied with Egypt's attitude, and is confident that she will take all steps which the developing situation requires. The Prime Minister of Egypt, Hassan Sabry Pasha, replying to the letters of resignation from the Saadist pro-war Cabinet members, said: "Your fears that the Italians, intend to conquer Egypt are exaggerated. Cabinet is opposed to throwing the country immediately into the furnace of war without evident interest or necessity. Our defence preparations are constantly accelerating."