ITALIAN EMPIRE BEING TORN TO "SHREDS AND TATTERS”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 5

ITALIAN EMPIRE BEING TORN TO "SHREDS AND TATTERS”

RETREAT REGARDLESS OF COST WINSTON CHURCHILL’S WORDS ARE COMING TRUE BRITISH FORCES PRESSING ON ALL FRONTS [By Telegraph—Pr»» Association —Copyrigbt| Received Feb. 6, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 5. Mercilessly lashed by K.A.F. bombs and bullets, their communications constantly attacked, their planes shot from the skies, their landing ground pounded, the Italians on all fronts in Africa to-day desperately speeded up their retreat regardless of the loss of equipment and stragglers. General Sir Archibald Wavell’s men are pressing on, despite the lack of sleep, determined that the fleeing armies shall have no chance to rest and reform. The R.A.F. is violently carrying the offensive over and beyond the battle-fronts, and the land forces have markedly quickened the tempo of the advance everywhere. There is no sign of stiffening in Cyrenaiea, far less of counter-attacking.

The main groups of Marshal Graziani’s forces are 60 to 70 miles from Benghazi, and since the pace of Ihe retreat at present is 20 to 30 miles daily, it appears that the fate of Barce will become clear in a day or two. Hundreds of Italian settlers are fleeing to Benghazi. Since the battle at Barentu the Italian withdrawal has become a rout. The remnants of Barentu s garrison are fleeing to Adiurgi. Mechanised units and motorised infantry are doing their utmost to keep up with them, while the Royal Air Force is heavily tombing columns of troop-laden lorries. Italian guns are maintaining only a most desultory fire. The British near Biaeunda arc also contacting Italians, believed to be remnants from the Ummhagar garrison. The Times military correspondent says that bold minor tactics, plus sniping by patriotis in East Africa, is I probably too much for the nerves of i the Italian commanders and troops. The Duke of Aosta, Commander-in-Chief, is a good soldier, but it is most unlikely that he can restore the situation. because the troops no longer possess the necessary’ spirit. ° I f British Official Wireless. ] Received Feb. 6. 5.5 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 5. , The further crippling blows , struck yesterday at the Italian

forces in Libya, Eritrea, Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia recall the utterance by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, who broadcast a speech to the Italian people on December 23 and declared: “Our armies are tearing, and will tear, your African Empire to shreds and tatters.” I The accelerated pace at which this 'is proceeding has made a deep im- ! pression throughout the Near East , and the significance of the latest dei velopments in Africa and Albania is : becoming increasingly appreciated in Rome, where, according to the latest , report, between 30 and 40 more leadi ing members of the Fascist hierarchy 1 have been replaced for service at the ■ front. j A broadcast over the Italian radio | against an alleged “boast” in a 8.8. C. I programme that an Italian Red Cross 1 aircraft flying to Tobruk was shot I down by a British fighter, has been ' the subject of inquiry. It was disj covered that no such boast or claim j was ever made by the 8.8. C. What I actually happened was that a Red * Cross machine was not shot down, | but was forced to land by a British j fighter. When this Italian . aircraft i was examined it was found to contain I correspondence, ammunition and ’ spare parts for a Breda 20 m.m. gun. It is remembered that we already had cause to complain of the illegal use made of the Red Cross by Germany and a warning was given some time 1 ago, both to Germany and Italy, that j Red Cross aircraft or boats cannot be I given immunity if they enter areas in I which active operations are in pro- ! gress.