ONE ROAD CLOSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1940, Page 5

ONE ROAD CLOSED

ANOTHER UNDER GUNFIRE NATURE OF THE BARDIA DEFENCES. SIZE OF THE GARRISON UNCERTAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 21. British forces have completely surrounded Bardia and are preparing for a final assault. The Italian rearguard in Bardia is still resisting, but British troops are now astride the main BardiaTobruk road. Guns also command the remaining coastal road, along which Italians are still escaping. It is believed that the occupation cannot be long delayed. A very clear indication that the Italian evacuation is nearly complete was seen when R.A.F. bombers paid their usual visit to Bardia last night and did not encounter anti-aircraft fire. The pilots saw a ship ablaze in the harbour. Today’s reports from the desert state that British forces comprising the inner circle of mobile units with infantry and guns in support surround the entire area of Bardia with a perimeter of about 15 miles running round the top of the high cliff with Bardia below. , 4 , . The main defences and also the buiK of the enemy forces are situated on the top of the cliff inside fairly formidable fortifications, including a large number of strong points in which are machinegun nests, concrete pillboxes land minesand olh« concealed.drfencej These naturally call for a certain amount of care, but the British are not

hurrying because the Italians undoubtedly are securely bottled up. The size of the garrison is uncertain, but the British are still convinced that there is no hope of reinforcements. General Berti is struggling to get the garrison from Bardia along a road which the R.A.F. is making a nightmare of blood, flame and metal. Relays of planes leave their desert airfields all day to ensure that the straffing is maintained at the highest pitch. A pall of smoke overhangs Bardia, providing proof of the effectiveness of the Navy’s bombardment, which was heard from the British camps all Thursday night. The town is almost a complete wreck. Special attention has been given to the Italian ■communications, and the slightest sign of movement brings up flights of fighters which wreak havoc on the concentrations of troop transport columns. The R.A.F. is also unremittingly attacking Bardia, specially the barracks and jetty, in order to prevent reinforcements from the sea. On what appeared to be a large Italian camp the R.A.F. dropped leadlets calling on the Italians to surrender, and also photographs showing cheerful prisoners being fed, but the leaflets showered on Imperial forces, who were already in possession of the camp. . _i The Royal Army Service Corps *s performing wonders in carrying out its enomous task of maintaining constant supplies over the 300-mile line of communications between the front and the base. A British headquarters communique in Cairo states: “While the enemy troops are holding Bardia the defences are being harassed by artillery fire, Our forces, which continue to be reinforced, are clearing areas to e north-west and west. An additional 900 Italian prisoners with four guns have been captured.”