MIDDLE EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 7

MIDDLE EAST

BRITISH FORCES EARLY DEVELOPMENTS? SIGNIFICANT CONFERENCE THE AXIS AND GREECE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 16: (Received Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.) The Secretary for War (Mr Anthony Eden) has arrived in Egypt for conferences with General Sir Archibald Wavell. Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East, and Sir Harold Mac Michael. High Commissioner in Palestine, Mr Eden will also visit contingents of British and Allied forces in the Middle East. The Daily Telegraph says that the announcement of Mr Eden’s arrival in Egypt for conferences with General Sir Archibald Wavell and Sir Harold Mac Michael demonstrates the importance Britain attaches to early developments in the Mediterranean. “It was never Britain’s intention.” the Telegraph says, “to stand on the defensive indefinitely in the Mediterranean, although the defection of France obviously created a new balance of forces, calling for a period of regrouping, Mr Eden will be more immediately concerned with the Italian factor. He will have opportunities in Cairo for threshing out many problems and getting first-hand information. He will visit the Anglo-Allied contingents in the Middle East. Axis Pressure “ Meanwhile,” the Telegraph continues. “ the Government is urgently considering the whole series of European problems which have arisen since the Axis began moving troops eastward. It was anticipated after the occupation of Rumania that Germany would consolidate her position before pressing on with the Axis plan of extending control over the whole of the Balkans, but as far as can be learned in London the pressure has been increased against Greece, and is primarily aimed at inducing the abandonment of the British guarantee. Greece so far has done nothing to comply with the Axis demands. On the contrary, she has given proof that she counts on the fullest support of which Britain is capable. It has long been understood that the GrecianTurkish pact of non-aggression has also secret military provisions of mutual assistance.” Britain’s Impressive Forces A New York message states that the New York Times correspondent with the British forces in the Western Desert says: “ If anyone is inclined to be pessimistic over the outcome of the Anglo-Italian war they should visit the British forces in the Western Desert and their pessimism would soon vanish. Firstclass troops, including some of Britain’s crack regiments. New Zealanders, Australians, Rhodesians, Cypriots, Frenchmen, and Czechs — all strong, sturdy and sun-browned -—are working in unity and harmony to defend the cause they believe right and just. Their clockwork organisation and their equipment, which were recently reinforced by the latest models, are most impressive.”

MANY R.A.F. TARGETS REPORTS OF SUCCESSFUL RAIDS CAIRO, Oct. 16. (Received Oct. 17, at 11 p.m.) An R.A.F. communique says; “ Yesterday we again raided Benghazi and direct hits were scored on a mole. Incendiaries were dropped on a railway station and sidings. Barracks and military concentrations were successfully bombed at Bardia and Capuzzo Bombs fell in the target areas' at Derna and Tobruk Direct hits were registered on buildings and a railway station at Diredawa. Our planes, operating from the Sudan, effectively bombed naval and air force barracks at Massawa.” A communique issued yesterday stated that British planes again raided Bardia. Solium, Derna, Dirsofoai (south-eastwards of Sidi Bar rani), also Rasgaza, Massawa and Diredawa. The British forces made a night raid on Benghazi. They considerably damaged dwellings and sank a motor boat.