THE DESERT WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23828, 2 December 1940, Page 8

THE DESERT WAR

CONTINUED ACTIVITY AIR AND LAND OPERATIONS SUCCESSES AGAINST ENEMY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received December 1, 6.J50 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Nov. 30 The Air Ministry news service states that in the V* estern Desert raids were carried out on Sidi I>airani and Boinba. Direct hits were registered on military buildings at Sidi Barrani, while in Bomba bombs fell in a camp. In Italian East Africa dive-bomb-ing and machine-gun attacks were made on the Tessenie aerodrome. Enemy aircraft on the ground were damaged by machine-gun fire and bombs fell well inside the target area. Keren was also raided and individual attacks were made on railway goods stations. On • Thursday aircraft of the South African Air Force carried out an offensive patrol over Gardulla. Accurate bombing resulted in extensive damage to administrative buildings, several fires being started. On other parts of the front normal reconnaissances were carried out by the Royal Air Force. From all operations under review all the British aircraft returned safely to their bases. Italians Ambushed Speaking of an earlier action, the news service says that on November 22. while aircraft of the South African Air Force were engaged in an offensive reconnaissance over they encountered Italian aircraft and during the ensuing combat one enemy fighter was damaged and compelled to break off the fight, being apparently in difficulties. One South African Aircraft was forced to land in enemy territory, the crew being taken prisoner. A Cairo communique states: "In the Kassala sector one of our mechanised patrols successfully ambushed a body of tlie enemy, inflicting heavy casualties both on the original party and upon reinforcements which were hurried into action. An enemy reconnaissance force in the Mersa Matruh area met with a heavy concentration of fire from our artillery. There is nothing of importance to report on other fronts."

Indian Army's Part The Secretary of State for War, Mr. Anthony Eden. sent, a message to General Six Robert Cassels, commander-in-chief in India, asking that the congratulations of the War Cabinet be conveyed to all units of the Indian Army which took part in the recapture of Gallabat. British aircraft in the Western Desert attacked a small enemy column, south of Sidi Barrani. Motor transport vehicles were severely damaged and a number of drivers killed. An anti-aircraft battery was silenced, the crew being killed.

In Italian East Africa Assab was raided, bombs falling close to a large ship, equipped with anti-aircraft guns, which was in the harbour. In other areas numerous reconnaissance flights were carried out and valuable information obtained. ASSASSINATION PLOT COMMUNISTS IN MEXICO DEATHS IN POLICE RAIDS (Received December 1, 7.50 p.m.) MEXICO CITY, Nov. 8Q Claiming to have uncovered a plotto assassinate the President-elect, General Manuel Camacho, Federal soldiers raided Communist headquarters under two blocks of the National Palace, while almost simultaneously police in another section of the capital were engaged in a fierce gun-battle while attempting to search a house where it was suspected a second subversive group was meeting. It is reported that two were killed and two wounded in the latter incident, while an army major was killed and at least two soldiers were wounded in the former. The police claim that the plotters planned to assassinate General Camacho and start an insurrection during the inauguration of the new president tomorrow in the presence of the VicePresident of the United States, Mr. Henry A- Wallace. BRITAIN'S FIGHT COMMENT BY DIPLOMAT LONDON GOSSIP DENIED NEW YORK, Not. 29 The United States Ambassador to Britain, Mr. J. P. Kennedy, in a statement. said: "I am told that there is some gossip in London to the effect that I am making anti-British statements in the United States and that I am even saying that I do not expect the British to win the war. "This is nonsense. I have never made any anti-British statements nor have 1 said, on or off the record, that I do not expect Britain to win the war. I have never made any statement here which I did not make to four or five members of the British Cabiuet before I left London. "What I am concerned with is keeping America out of the war, but that has never been a secret. I have been constantly asked: 'Do you think England will win or lose the war?' How could anyone know that unless he knew what is the strength of GermanyP I do not know what is tho strength of Germany." Mr. Kennedy said he was very sorry that such an impression had cropped up in England.

TRADE WITH SOVIET AMERICAN DISCUSSIONS WASHINGTON. Nov. 29 The United States Under-Secretary of State,, Mr. Sumner Welles, said he hoped the diplomatic talks between the United States and Soviet Governments would bring an improvement in commercial relations. The Soviet Government had agreed to the establishment of a United States Consulate at Vladivostok in expectation of increased trade with the .United States.