LIGHTNING THRUST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24481, 14 December 1940, Page 11

LIGHTNING THRUST

ITALIANS SCATTERED MASTERLY STRATEGY NEW ZEALANDERS ENGAGED (By Wireless) LONDON, Dec. 13. (Received Dec. 14, at 1.30 a.m.) Not only are New Zealand troops included in - the forces which have defeated the Italians on the Western Desert, but it was revealed to-day that New Zealanders, Australians, South Africans and Canadians are taking part in the air operations, together with other Imperial representatives. • The operations in the Western Desert are being carried out over an area of 400 or. 500 square miles, and as the Italian troops are disorganised arid scattered over a wide , area there are still pockets of defence from which resistance may be expected. It was pointed out in London to-day that sandstorms may have some effect in delaying the British advance, so there is no reason for disappointment if a pause should be necessary. It is now known that the officer in charge of the actual operations is General N. R. O’Connor, Who enjoys the distinction of wearing an Italian ‘ * decoration for valour. There has been no'time yet to reckon up the vast quantities of material captured, and the figdre of 20,000 prisoners captured may well prove to be an under-estimate. 1 The amazing staff work that made this lightning attack so successful has aroused interest and admiration in many parts of the world.

ADVANCE TOWARDS LIBYA : SANDSTORM ENCOUNTERED .- n L• , »'* • ' LONDON, Dec. 13. t .£ ; . (Received jDec. 14, at l a.m.) In spite of-blinding sandstorms the army of the Nile continues to advance towards Libya, driving the retreating Italians through • long narrow gorge leading through Solium to Bardia. , An official-spokesman in Cairo stated to-night that the operation was;!pr&eedjhg' ntbst^-satisfactorilyi '*> • " It is estimated that the Italians destroyed, captured, or bottled up number about 40,000, and include many crack Blackshirts. The British forces-round Sidi Barrani to-day were occupied in clearing Up the battlefield, extending over 200 square miles. 1 The'special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in the Western Desert says the British, attacks developed along a constantly shifting semi-circle, with Sidi.Barrani as the hub. From the first onslaught the operations developed with bewildering intricacy over the whole of the tawny, rock-strewn desert. Individual.detachments, skirmishing miles into enemy territory, started a senes of pitched battles. It is impossible to, give, a; coherent account of the reports are collated, but-satisfaction and optimism .» e ese headquarters are undisguised. £ The' diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says it can now be stated that Mr Anthony Eden went to Egypt convinced that ■ the British forces should take the offensive. It is understood that Mr Churchill and Sir John Dill had no advance information of the actual date of the launching of the offensive, remaining content to leave matters in the able hands of Sir Archibald Wavell. Air Marshal Sir, Arthur Longmore to-day visited- advanced headquarers in the desert and conferred with .General Sir Maitland Wilson a Air Commodore Collishaw... Both were, deeply impressed with the enthusiasm and morale of all ranks. It is now revealed that incessant attacks for weeks by the famous mechanised regiment kept open a gap in the enemy’s front position, frustrating attempts to complete a chain of fortified pomts. T breach was still open on December 9, with the result that the motorised forces were able to drive in according to p an.