IN EGYPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 6

IN EGYPT.

The Italian forces on the coastal route have advanced and occupied Solium, Bug Bug and Sidi Barrani, whicli is 60 miles from the frontier and about 250 miles from Alexandria. They are also reported to be moving from Solium into the desert towards the Siwa oasis, 200 miles to the south. Their forces on the coast are being harassed by the Navy and the Air Force and also by military patrols. From Sidi Barrani the coastal route leads to Mersa Matruh, 80 miles away. Mersa Matruh has been described- as the key to the defence of the Western Desert. It is the railhead, has a water supply and is the anchorage for British ships. How many men the. Italians or the British have in the field is the subject of varying estimates. The total Italian force in Libya has been computed at 250,000 men. One correspondent has reported that the Italians advancing comprise a mixed division of at least ten infantry battalions, each about 1000 men, a tank corps and armoured cars. An Italian general has estimated that British forces in Egypt, including reinforcements from „ the Dominions, number 140,000. As to the strength of the respective air forces, there is ino dependable information, and in the absence of it attempts to forecast the future can hardly be fruitful. If one side were , able to gain an overwhelming ascendancy in the air the plans and expectations of the other might be destroyed very quickly.