ITALIAN ADVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24412, 25 September 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN ADVANCE

INVASION OF EGYPT HEAVY PRICE BEING PAID MAJOR BATTLE DEVELOPING (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 23. (Received Sept. 24, at 11 p.m.) Twenty-five-pound guns, machine guns and bombers continue to take advantage of the excellent targets which the Italian supply convoys present in Egypt, while the Italians have no targets in the mobile British units for retaliatory fire The Italians pay a heavy toll for every vard of the advance and for every gallon of petrol or round of ammunition brought up. Britain's main desert forces, based at Mersa Matruh. await the moment for the major attack. The Senussi desert tribes are also poised ready to swoop on the Italian rear flanks, bases and outposts The Italian column has now repaired the mine-blasted roads from the Libyan escarpment, and other units - are penetrating westward along the rough desert track south of the main coastal track in an attempt to protect the main advance and cover the consolidation of Solium and Sidi Barrani. The British hit hard and methodically whenever the enemy exposes himself. Egyptian Precautions A Cairo message states that the authorities have begun rounding up all the Italians in the capital as a precaution. Seven thousand are already detained Similar measures are being taken throughout Egypt, but a newspaper report that martial law has been imposed is denied The war in the Western Desert is likely to continue for a week or two as guerrilla harrying of the Italians. It is authoritatively stated that Britain is satisfied with Egypt's attitude and is confident she will lake all the steps the developing situation requires

Hassan Sabry. replying to the Saadist, pro-war members of Cabinet .concerning their resignations, said "Your fears that the Italians intend to conquer Egypt are exaggerated. Cabinet is opposed to throwing the country immediately into the furnace of war without evident interest or necessity. Our defence preparations are constantly being accelerated."