ENEMY IN DESERT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 7

ENEMY IN DESERT

SANDSTORM RAGING NAVY SHELLS COAST ROAD HEAVY AXIS AIR LOSSES LONDON, May 1 The Italian and German forces attempting the invasion of Egypt were still "bogged" in the vicinity of Solium yesterday, according to informed sources in Cairo. British land and air forces harassed the enemy constantly while a sandstorm continued to rage, reducing visibility to under 10 yards. The Navy shelled points on the const road near Bardia and Tobruk where enemy concentrations wore observed. There is' no change in the situation at Tobruk, says a Cairo communique. Patrol activities at Solium are continuing. The Hoyal Air Force again raided Benina. Benghazi Harbour and the aerodrome at Derna were also bombed. Concentrations of enemy aircraft were attacked and many bombs burst among dispersed aircraft. Fighters continued to harass the enemy bv lowlevel machine-gunning. During April a total of 252 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the Middle East, this being a record there for any month since the war began. Fiftyeight British aircraft were lost, but many of the pilots have returned safely.

CLEARING ABYSSINIA ANOTHER CENTRE TAKEN DUKE OF AOSTA'S ESCAPE LONDON, May 1 A unit of the Sudan Defence Force captured Socota, between Dessve and Gondar in northern Abyssinia, inflicting many casualties. A further 515 prisoners were taken, of whom 400 were colonials, who immediately volunteered to enter the Emperor's service. In all other areas the activities of British troops continue, and patriots are steadily clearing the country of isolated detachments. The Emperor Ilaile Selassie may make his formal entry into Addis Ababa to-morrow, five years after ho was forced to lice from his capital. The Duke of Aosta, Italian com-mander-in-chief in East Africa, escaped from Dessve to Ambialagi in the sole remaining Italian bomber. The mountains around Dessve are honeycombed with caves in which are hidden great stores of food, fuel and ammunition. One brigade of the attackers fought 12 battalions, mainly Europeans, and captured 44 guns. South African artillery was engaged in an intense action for six days. Enemy troops, positions and ammunition dumps were attacked in the Uadea area by the South African Air Force. Motor transports were destroyed and heavy casualties were caused among white and native troops. Direct hits were registered on buildings at the Tandoho aerodrome, and buildings at Sifani were also hit.

EGYPTIAN LEADERS CONFERENCE WITH KING CAIRO, April 30 King Farouk had an audience with Sirry Pasha, the Egyptian Prime Minister, and with leaders of the Wafd, Saadist and Liberal Parties. The Egyptian press forecasts the early formation of a national Government. Tho political atmosphere is more stable than for some timo. Sirry Pasha told the press that British troops and the Itoyal Air Force were dealing effectively with invaders.