IMPORTANCE OF BENGHAZI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 37, 13 February 1941, Page 5

IMPORTANCE OF BENGHAZI

CONTROL OF THE SEA RISK OF AIR ATTACK LESSENED ( British Official Wireless. J Received Feb. 12, 5.5 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 11. One of the many important results of the British capture of Benghazi is the effect it will hav& on control o: sea communications in the Mediterranean. At the beginning of the Army ol the Nile's victorious campaign, when Benghazi was in Italian possession, British shipping was liable to be attacked from the air from the limit of the range of aircraft based in Western Sardinia, until it reached the eastern Mediterranean, because of the existence of Italian aerodromes all along the coast. Not only will there be a reduction of risk to British shipping by the Italian loss of such bases, but the R.A.F. will be able to give increased protection against strong forces of Italian and German aircraft based in Sicily A Cairo headquarters communique spates:—

"In Libya information has been received that General Tellera, commanding the Tenth Italian Army, died after capture from wounds suffered in action south of Benghazi.”

General Tellera, who commanded the Italian Army in the fierce 36-hour battle preceding the capture of Benghazi, was buried with full military 1 oaours in Benghazi.

A new southward thrust into Eritrea from the north along the Rod Sea is regarded as a significant development in this part of the East African campaign. The advance so far reported has brought the British forces to Mersa Tacla, some 30 miles down the Eritrean coast from the frontier not 13 as formerly stated—and developments are confidently awaited. It is probable that the occupation by another column of Karora. on a high plateau on the frontier, will play its part in these operations. The Times remarks that, for the moment, this movement is too far distant to affect the issue on the Asmara railway. It adds significantly: “But affairs develop rapidly nowadays in Italian East Africa.”

“In Eritrea, Abyssinia, and Italian Somaliland operations in all sectors continue to develop satisfactorily.”