THE AFRICAN FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24372, 9 August 1940, Page 5

THE AFRICAN FRONT

ITALIAN CONCENTRATIONS BRITISH TROOPS CONFIDENT AWAITING ENEMY ADVANCE (United Press Association) ■ \ (By Electric "Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 8. (Received Aug. 8, at 1.1.15 p.m.) Heavily outnumbered because of the defection of the French, British troops in North and East Africa are confidently awaiting the full impact of the Italian advance in British Somaliland and a possible onslaught on Egypt. The estimates of the Italian strength in Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland range from 35,000 to 100,000 white troops and 100,000 or more native troops. Italy's Libyan forces are reported to comprise 250,000 white and native troops, with a numerical superiority in planes. It is authoritatively stated in London that the road to Cairo and the riches of Egypt is barred by a smaller but highly efficient British force consisting of British, Australian, New Zealand and African troops. RAID ON ITALIAN BASE The Daily Express says the most bitter air battle in the East African war was fought out yesterday over Italy's chief overseas war base, Massawa. Flights of British bombers attacked squadrons of Italian ships which Signor Mussolini concentrated at Massawa in an attempt to smash the Red Sea route to Egypt. British planes also bombed anti-aircraft batteries, during which they encountered strong formations of enemy fighters. No British planes were lost. Two major ammunition petrol dumps at Massawa were severely damaged and a series of hits made on a dockyard, where three Submarines,. one cruiser, two destroyers and a number of supply '.vessels.were.caught.unawares. One big vessel leaving the wharves suddenly veered to escape the bombs. The warships frantically called the crews aboard and started zig-zagging to the open sea. One of our machines was hit by shrapnel and fell back, whereupon three Italian fighters attacked, but other British pilots drove them off. A series of furious combats ensued, but the British emerged without loss. k'scit HARASSES ENEMY The R.A.F. has carried out continuous raids since Monday and made 20 attacks on Italian docks, hangars, workshops and troop concentrations. Over 50 tons of high explosives and incendiary bombs were dropped and thousands of rounds of ammunition shot into military camps. The arrival of new British bombers on this front has been a shattering surprise for the Italians. The Rome paper II Trevere admits the loss of seven submarines, 45 planes, a light cruiser, three destroyers and a minesweeper. It claims that Italy has destroyed 285 enemy planes, sunk one cruiser, seven destroyers, 11 submarines and seriously damaged three battleships, two aircraft carriers, eight cruisers, three destroyers and two submarines! The. battleships alleged to be damaged are the Hood and two of the Warspite class, and the aircraft carriers the Ark RoyaTanli'thetEagle/ '■ :" ■ : ' T •';•' ' •"•;' ; : /■"'