RAIDS IN LIBYA

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21852, 6 October 1942, Page 4

RAIDS IN LIBYA

LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION SURPRISE ELEMENT LOST HEAVY BRITISH LOSSES ,i nitpd Press A'-n.—ei«m\ Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 6, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 5 It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the recent long distance raids on enemy bases in Libya were greatly hampered and the men taking part exposed to unnecessary risk through apparent leakages of information. says the Daily Telegraph’s Western Desert correspondent. Although the Barce force reached its goal 500 miles in the rear of the enemy lines without interference it found every aircraft guarded by five sentries, armed with machine-guns and Tommy-guns, consequently what should have been a surprise affair involved a stiff struggle, and the objective of destroying dozens of enemy aircraft was achieved only after unexpectedly strong resistance. Our losses were considerably heavier than they should have been. It transpired that the enemy was evidently also fully informed of the British retreat line and arranged an armoured car ambush a few miles from Barce. from which the raiding party was forced to escape by driving straight at enemy vehicles and bowling them over.