FROM SEA AND AIR

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

FROM SEA AND AIR

THE ITALIANS HARASSED LANDING GROUNDS BOMBED SEVERAL PLANES DESTROYED (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Dec. 12. The successful operations by the army of the Nile, which have been received with acclamation by free peoples all over the world and which as the Prime Minister told the House of Commons, had “ cut through the principal road by which the main body of the Italian Army which had invaded Egypt could effect retreat.” have been the result of close co-operation between the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. The retreating Italians are being continually harassed by bombardment from sea and air, and the news the R.A.F. Middle East headquarters received to-day shows Intense activity throughout Wednesday. '■ Both bombers and fighters supported the army’s offensive in attacking enemy troop concentrations and bombing enemy advanced aerodromes. Several tons of bombs were dropped on Solium, while enemy landing grounds at Gambut, Axeid, Menastir, Eladem, Elgubbi, Derna Tmimi, and El Gazala were raided during the day, and a number of enemy aircraft dispersed on the ground destroyed. Full details of these raids, however, are not yet available. Our fighters destroyed six enemy aircraft in combat,: and it is probable that two more shared the same fate. One squadron accounted for four and two “ possibles.” These were one S. 79, three C.R. 42’s, and two Bre'das. One unidentified machine was destroyed on the ground. It is satisfactory to note that throughout . these intensive ; operations, continuing over 24 hours, only one R.A.F. machine failed to ■return. One aircraft reported missing on December 10 has now returned safely to its base. General Smuts sent the following message to Sir Archibald Wavell:— “Hearty congratulations on your brilliant success in the Western Desert—an acceptable Christmas box and a fine augury for the future of the Middle East campaigns.”

CAPTURE OF SIDI BARRANI . A BRILLIANT STROKE LONDON, Dec. 12. The Secretary for War, Mr Anthony Eden, sent the following telegram to General Sir Archibald Wavell:—“ On behalf of all ranks of the army serving at Home and in other theatres I send you.. and all under your command congratulations on your victory. Your brilliant stroke has, delighted and filled us with pride.” Mr Eden’s message reflects the general enthusiasm which greeted the announcement of the capture of Sidi Barrani, with many prisoners, including three generals. The results of the further developments ,to the west, where the operations are proceeding, are eagerly awaited. The full extent of this swift and important success cannot be immediately assessed, and the number of prisoners taken is not yet known. Significance is attached, However, to the large quantities of war material that have fallen into British hands.

Sidi Barrani, a small, whitewashed town some 50 miles from the Libyan frontier, was evacuated by the British in the early stages of the hostilities, and is itself without strategic value. It acquired importance when it became Graziani’s advanced supply base and roadhead.

Confusion Among Italians

The British advance which culminated in its capture began on Monday, and the R.A.F. and naval forces co-operated brilliantly with the military operations, as a result of which it would appear that the Italians were from the outset thrown into a state of much confusion. The effectiveness of the aerial assistance was enhanced by the restricted scale of the Italian air action, due, no doubt, to the deadly effectiveness of the recent constant attacks by the R.A.F. on enemy aerodromes and bases.

Although, for reasons which will be apparent, the full extent of the naval co-operation cannot yet be disclosed, it is very briefly dealt with in an Admiralty communique which states: The Royal Navy continues to play its part in disorganising the Italian retreat in Africa, both heavy and light units in the Medi-. terranean Fleet continually harassing the Italian communications. Our ships hegyily bombarded focal points of the Italian retreat at Solium, near the _ Libya-Egypt frontier, and Bardia, on the Libyan coast. No damage or casualties have been suffered by any of our units during these operations. Other British naval units carried out a bombardment of Kismayu, in Italian Somaliland, damaging Italian supplies. Enemy coastal batteries replied ineffectively to dur fire.

“Turning Point in War”

While in London there is a disinclination to speculate on the full results of the success in the Western Desert, in Egypt and throughout the Middle East it is regarded as being of immense significance not on account of the effect on the military campaign, but as constituting Sidi Barrani as a fairly important city. In Turkey the development of the British offensive is being watched with the closest interest, and informed commentators there even declare that the attack on Sidi Barrani may be regarded as a turning point in the war.