HITTING BACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 9

HITTING BACK

WESTERN DESERT INITIATIVE TAKEN TOLL OF ENEMY FORCES (Heed, f1.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 15 The British have taken the initiative in the Western Desert after the failure of the Germans' five-pronged thrust. Our mechanised forces are pressing home their attacks in the Solium area and harassing the enemy columns ground Tobruk. The opinion is expressed in Cairo that the German thrust was designed to disorganise the growing British armoured patrol tactics,

Heat Increasing The blazing heat is still increasing and is likely to militate against widespread operations. A Cairo communique quoted by the British official wireless states that during a limited offensive operation carried out by Empire troops from Tobruk two German medium tanks were destroyed and many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. In the Solium area the enemy has again withdrawn to his original positions south and west of Solium, where he is being continuously harried by mechanised Imperial patrols. Claim by Germans

The Berlin spokesman, according to a cablegram, claimed that Italian and German forces had advanced their front line 45 miles into Egypt by a. surprise thrust starting from Solium on May 12. It was also claimed that the front lines around Tobruk were advanced.

In Abyssinia, in spite of road obstruction and other physical difficulties, the two Empire forces converging on Amba Alagi are making satisfactory progress. In the lakes area, south of Addis Ababa, further success has been gained by the capture of a stronglydefended enemy position. Prisoners taken number 500, together with tiro batteries of artillery, five light tanks and one anti-tank gun. Imperial troops have also occupied Algi, an important post north of Kavello.

Successful Bombing Further destruction of enemy aeroplanes and heavy bombing in Abyssinia, in which four air forces co-oper-ated, are described in an R.A.F. communique. It states: — "Fighters carried out extensive patrols on Tuesday, and attacked enemy motor transport concentrations whenever possible. Movements of enemy troops in the Solium and Bugbug zones ceased after our attacks. Very heavy raids were made on Benghazi, Benina, Derna and Gazaia. "Four Heinkel bombers and a Messersehmitt fighter-bomber were completely burned out at Benina. Hits on dispersed aeroplanes at Gazala destroyed four single-engined machines and severely damaged others, including a Junkers troop-carrier. Five heavy explosions occurred oh the aerodrome as the British aeroplanes departed. "Considerable damage was caused at Derna aerodrome. A total of nine enemy aeroplanes was destroyed.

"Combined air forces in Abyssinia, consisting of South Africans, Rhodesians, Free French and the R.A.F., raided enemy positions at Gimma, Wadara, Amba Alagi and the Lake Tsana area. The Free French obtained direct hits on Fort Chilga and direct hits on hangars on Gondar aerodrome."

50TH ANNIVERSARY NYASALAND PROTECTORATE AFRICAN COLONIES' FUTURE (Reed. 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 14 Broadcasting to Africa oil the 50th anniversary of the Nyasaland Protectorate to-day, the Secretary for the Colonies, Lord Moyne, said the war involved the future of Africa as well as of Europe, a British official wireless message states. If the Nazis won, hope of civilisation in Africa would be at an ei,id, and its peoples would be thrown back into slavery under German taskmasters.

Men from all over Africa fought like lions in the Empire armies which destroyed Italian rule in East Africa. Men of the African races had learned how to use the wonderful and terrible inventions of modern warfare and not even the natural difficulties of these mountain countries had enabled the Italians to resist their attack.

Many of the things produced in the African colonies were vital to "the war industries —gold, copper, chrome, iron ore, industrial diamonds and other items. These the Empire wanted in increasing quantities. "Go to it to fulfil tbese needs," Lord Moyne added. The protectorate marked its anniversary with a gift of £29,150 to the British Government. This is in accordance with its policy of offering as a gift to the United Kingdom portion of its surplus at the end of each year of war. The gift brings the total to £117,000 for the two years 1939-40.

SOOTHING ASSURANCES VON PAPEN IN TURKEY •LONDON, May 15 The German Ambassador to Turkey, von Pa pen, delivered a friendly message from Hitler when he was received by the President., General Inonu, yesterday. The Turkish Foreign Minister, M. Saracoglu, was present during the interview. The message is said to have been full ot' soothing assurances to Turkey. AMERICA AND SOVIET LONDON, May 15 The Soviet Ambassador to Washington, M. Oumansky, yesterday had an hour's talk with the Secretary ot" State, Mr. Cordell Hull. Renter's correspondent believes that the result of the conversation will be a clarification of United States-Soviet relations.

CATTLE FODDER SHORTAGE

(Reed. 5.3* p.in ) VICHY, May 14 The Minister of Agriculture, M. Caziot, announced that 1,200,000 head of cattle are to*be slaughtered because fodder is -1,410,000 tons below requirements as a result of last season's poor harvest, the ravages of war and the blockade. -