LOSS OF FERTILE BELT IN CYRENAICA

Southland Times, Issue 24662, 6 February 1942, Page 5

LOSS OF FERTILE BELT IN CYRENAICA

RETIREMENT LIKELY TO CONTINUE (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The whole green fertile belt of Cyrenaica must now be regarded as lost and there is little likelihood of the immediate cessation of our retirement, says the Cairo correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. The situation continues to be distinctly grave and there is no room for complacency. The enemy in less than a fortnight has advanced about 350 miles, recovering the excellent airfields at Benina, Barce, Dema and elsewhere and has captured considerable supplies which the British were gathering for an offensive against Agheila. Although the retreat is bitterly disappointing, it apparently has been carried out without exceptionally heavy losses of personnel.

The enemy, however, has not made an appreciable advance eastward and north-eastward from Msus. Actually the first British Armoured Division and the Brigade of Guards mobile columns are continuing the offensive in this area. The gallantry of the British, Dominion and Indian troops is unquestioned. Nobody feels that the men in the field are culpable for what has occurred. Cairo circles acutely feel the loss of the hard won gain, especially because of the possible political repercussions.

The British forces have withdrawn from Dema. This withdrawal means that hte right flank has retired 50 miles in two days while the left flank remains stationary in the desert, operating near Msus. The Middle East war communique says: “After beating off strong German detachments which had attempted to intercept their withdrawal the 4th Indian Division on Monday and Tuesday nights successfully completed a movement from the last covering position about Derna and rejoined our main forces. Meanwhile our mobile columns, closely supported by our air forces, continued their offensive activities in the desert east and north-easi of Msus.” A Middle East air communique states: “Fighter and bomber aircraft continued offensive operations over Cyrenaica on Tuesday. Motorized units along the roads in the Dema region were effectively attacked. Casualties were inflicted on enemy personnel. A number of vehicles was destroyed or damaged. The aerodrome at Berka was raided on Monday night. BOMBING OF NAPLES “Objectives at Naples were bombed heavily. Heavy cloud and a smoke screen obscured the city. Hits were obtained in the area of the harbour, the docks and the marshaUing yards and repair base. At Palermo a hit was scored on the quays. Over Sicily aircraft destroyed a Cant Z 506.

“Night attacks were made by naval aircraft on a large enemy merchant vessel in the Central Mediterranean on Monday. The ship was torpedoed and the next day was seen to have gone aground. Enemy aircraft continued to raid Malta during Monday night and again on Tuesday. Some damage was caused. From these and other operations all our aircraft returned safely.” A high naval authority advanced three reasons why Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel has been reinforced. First, the enemy is employing stronger surface and aerial forces to protect the Mediterranean convoys. Second, cruisers and destroyers are being used as transports and are able to complete the 300-mile dash to North Africa under cover of darkness. Third, undoubtedly the recent record rainstorms and poor visibility are more favourable to reinforcements getting through. The Daily Telegraph’s former correspondent in Paris says Field-Marshal Rommel . is getting supplies from Tunisia, which is acting as a vast clear-ing-house.

NAHAS PASHA ASKED TO FORM GOVERNMENT

(Rec. 11.50 p.m.) CAIRO, Feb. 5. The Wafd leader, Nahas Pasha, has been invited to form a new Government.