COAST OF LIBYA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 7

COAST OF LIBYA

enemy operations diminishing BRITISH MOVES AT TOBRUK CAPTURE OF INLAND OASIS LIKELY By Telegraph-—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 14, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. IS P r " British troops are now reported to be moving into new positions commanding the approaches to Tobruk. The Italians attempted to strafe the troops besieging the town, but were driven back. Italian artillery fire from Tobruk has slackened and the British guns are maintaining a desultory barrage before the final preparation for the infantry attack, for which the British troops are on their toes. The seaplane base at Bomba, 50 miles along the coast from Tobruk, has been destroyed by the Royal Air Force. The Italians attach much importance to the use of seaplanes, which have been employed extensively in their Mediterranean operations. They have been fitted to carry either bombs or torpedoes. The Italians are believed to have abandoned Bomba. All along the coast Italian air operations have diminished. The onlyaircraft seen by the Royal Air Force yesterday were machines on the ground. The capture of El Adem gives the Royal Air Force one of the finest air fields in Libya. It was completed last October and is as modern as any aerodrome in Europe. El • Adem is five minutes' flight from Tobruk and can accommodate three squadrons. An Italian battalion is cut off at the Jarabub Oasis, 150 miles south of Bardia and near the Egyptian frontier. In Cairo it is stated that it is only a question of time before the oasis falls into British hands. Water is plentiful at Jarabub, but supplies are extremely difficult to obtain as the only roads are caravan tracks.