GERMAN MOVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 7

GERMAN MOVES

REPORTS IN ANKARA TROOPS FOR LIBYA ITALIAN AIRCRAFT SENT (Reed. 31.40 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 21 A message from Ankara says it is reported Germany is sending another division to Libya, and Italy is sending air reinforcements. Other reports reaching Ankara mention German military preparations in France for a move against Spain and Portugal, and more preparations in Bulgaria and Greece for a move to the Near East.

Martin Agronsky, in a broadcast, said Axis reinforcements landed in Tripoli in the past few days comprised a fullymotorised German division and Italian bombers and fighters, with ground crews. They are the first large-scale reinforcements for Libya since the outbreak of the Russo-German war. THE LIBYAN FRONT OPERATIONS AT TOBRUK WIDESPREAD AIR ACTIVITY LONDON, Oct. 20 "During Saturday night there was hostile air activity at Tobruk," states a communique from British headquarters in Cairo. "After dark yesterday evening 10 bombs were dropped in the town area without causing any appreciable damage. "In one south-west sector yesterday a British patrol, which had successfully concealed itself in the open, inflicted considerable casualties on a large Italian working party which approached unawares. The Italians withdrew in confusion, but owing to the exposed position occupied by our patrol, pursuit was impracticable.

"Operating from Mafaya, enemy artillery attempted to interfere with the movement of our mechanised patrols, which later successfully completed their reconnaissance of the area without loss."

Widespread activity by Royal Air Force bombers has taken place in North Africa and in the Mediterranean area. Heavy bombers successfully raided Benghazi on Saturday night; naval aircraft bombed an enemy dump at Solium; medium bombers attacked landing grounds and military posts in Libya; other aeroplanes bombed factories, power stations and landing grounds in Sicily; and the air attack on an enemv convoy in the Mediterranean was resumed. damage being caused to at least two ships. The raid on Benghazi was the 147 th the town has had.

Free French headquarters announce that three French Air Force pilots have just succeeded in making their escape from North Africa, piloting three French fighters. They managed to reach Allied territory, where they joined General de Gaulle's forces. ALLIED OFFENSIVE BELIEF IN TURKEY LONDON, Oct, 21 Informed opinion in Ankara is convinced that an Allied offensive in Libya is imminent, states the British Broadcasting Corporation's observer, Mr. Richard Dimbleby. Most people believe that the frontier of Tunisia will be the objective.