ROME WARNS ITALIANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23859, 9 January 1941, Page 7

ROME WARNS ITALIANS

more points may be yielded HEAVY BRITISH RAIDS damage to enemy coastal bases By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrifjht (Received January 9, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, .Tan. 8 It is announced that British mechanised forces are at present in contact with the outer defences of Tobruk. A Cairo communique states: "Operations towards Tobruk are proceeding satisfactorily. In the Sudan east of Gallabat our patrols again inflicted casualties on the enemy. There is no change in Kenya." The enemy aerodrome for Tobruk (El Adem) has been evacuated by the Italians and 40 aircraft in a damaged condition, owing to Royal Air Force bombing, have been captured by the British troops. The Italian people were warned by the Rome radio last night that the defence of Libya would probably take place further back from the present Italian positions. The announcer said jt was not known where the stand would be made, but he added that it might be necessary to yield further points. Opinions of Military Experts The announcer appealed to Italians not to be disconsolate. By being gloomy and spreading alarming reports they were betraying their country. The correspondent of the Times says military circles in Cairo believe that Marshal Graziani may even be compelled to retire to Tripoli. The alternatives are to pour more men into Tobruk and risk their being cut off like the garrison at Bardia, or to fall back to Benghazi, where they would be isolated, as there is nothing between there and Tripoli, 500 miles away. A further raid was made on Tobruk by heavy bombers. Widespread fires were caused among barracks, stores, sheds and motor transport concentrations. Derna and Martuba also were successfully raided. The British aircraft returned without loss »o their bases. An Air Force communique says Tripoli was again raided heavily on Monday night, states the official wireless. Several tons of bombs were dropped among motor vessels in the centre of the harbour, causing a series of explosions and clouds of smoke. A direct hit, registered amidships on a large motor vessel, was followed by explosions. Several smaller cargo ships were probably hit. Fires were caused among Customs buildings and wharves. The power station was bombarded and much damage caused. a Italians Lose 94,000 in Campaign . Military experts estimate that 94,000 Italians have been captured or destroyed since the beginning of the Western Desert offensive. They estimate that eight Italian divisions have been taken prisoner or destroyed. The 94,000 comprise 70,000 prisoners and 24,000 killed or wounded or otherwise put out of action. The experts indicate that the British have taken most of the equipment of these divisions, including tanks, artillery, anti-aircraft guns and anti-tank guns. The official wireless names the divisions as follows:—Three Italian metropolitan divisions, the Ist and 2nd Black Shirt Divisions, the Ist and 2nd Libyan Divisions and three Maletta mechanised forces, probably in the nature of a mechanised division. A special communique from Cairo states that during the operations at Bardia three Black Shirt commanders deserted their troops and left the regular commanders to fight on.