BARDIA AREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 5

BARDIA AREA

ITALIAN AIR ATTACKS MOSTLY INEFFECTIVE BRITISH PATROLS ACTIVE OTHER SECTORS QUIET (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 25. (Received Dec. 26, at 11.30 p.m.) A message from Cairo states that the Italians dive-bombed the British forces massing in the Bardia area. Front line observers declare that the attacks were mostly ineffective and there were few casualties. The padres held simple Christmas services in the Western Desert. Preparations to deal with the situation at Bardia are being steadily pushed forward, in spite of continuous air activity in support of the beleaguered garrison, states a Cairo communiquie, which adds: West of Gallabat our patrols again inflicted

casualties on the enemy. There is nothing of importance to report from other sectors. British Raids on Aerodromes R.A.F. bombers yesterday raided aerodromes at Timi and Gazala in the Western Desert. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: All of the bombs fell well in the target area, but the full extent of the damage could not be observed. Our fighters maintained active patrols throughout the day, but no enemy aircraft were engaged. A large formation of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, raided Solium, causing slight damage and a number of casualties. Ammunition Dump Explodes In Italian East Africa an aircraft of the Rhodesian squadron, while on a reconnaissance raid on Kassala, met an enemy fighter and shot it down in flames. Gunna was raided, bombs causing an ammunition dump to explode. Buildings were set on fire. At Heis storehouses and dumps were attacked and considerable damage caused by. low dive-bombing. Numerous reconnaissances were also carried out with success. There was no loss to the R.A.F. aircraft or personnel from all these operations. An official Cairo communique states: We yesterday shot down four Italian planes in the Bardia-Tobruk area. It is now known that we destroyed three grounded planes in a raid on Benina on the night of December 21. Triumph for Careful Preparation General Wavell, in a special Christmas Order of the Day, declared: "The operations have not ended. Further efforts and a similar spirit will bring further successes. Our success has been a triumph for careful preparation, good administration, and hard training. Only troops trained to the highest moral and physical pitch could have carried out the operation so swiftly, successfully and at such small cost." Air Marshal Longmore sent the following message to members of the Air Force: "The Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the South African Air Force have played their part splendidly, and with our ever-increasing resources we look forward to a victorious New Year." EXPLANATIONS OF DEBACLE ITALIAN PEOPLE CONFUSED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Dec. 25. Disagreement between soldiers and politicians, which, the Italian people must inevitably find confusing, still persists as to the cause of the Libyan debacle. Marshal Graziani in his recent long apologia to Signor Mussolini, explained that his offensive, for which all preparations had been completed, was held up owing to the non-arrival of mechanised forces from Italy. The Rome radio yesterday in effect denied the validity of this excuse, asserting that Marshal Graziani's resources were sufficient for the campaign, and accordingly he was not in need of supplies. The announcer added the somewhat obscure remark: " The times are past when generals laid the blame on soldiers for any unfortunate episode which may happen in any war." ALLEGED DISABILITIES BRITAIN RESPONSIBLE ROME, Dec. 25. A reply to Mr Churchill, broadcast in Italian and other languages from Italian radio stations, enumerates the disabilities to which Italy is allegedly subjected by Britain. It minimises British help in Garibaldi's time by suggesting that Britain regarded Italy as a country likely to be useful to her Mediterranean 1 aspirations and adds: " The Italians know that Mr Churchill's honeyed words only mean that Britain wants to reduce Italy to the condition of a j disguised British colony. We stand j united around the man commanding j our loyalty and representing our | sentiments. We are resolved to j carry on the war with energy, | vigour, and unflinching determina- j tion." I