The Bay of Plenty Bearcon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1942. EBB AND FLOW IN LIBYA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 11, 2 February 1942, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Bearcon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1942. EBB AND FLOW IN LIBYA

CONSOLIDATING THE HOME GUARD

THE gazetting of the names of the local officers of the Home Guard, would seem to indicate that the Government intends utilising this growing military force to the fullest. It also gives effectual denial to the rumours which were current in this district a week ago,, that the Guard , was about to be disbanded. The actual position is that the force is now being recognised more than ever before by the authorities, and is officially regarded as-a citizen's voluntary force which can be relied, upon to carry out a big job of work should ever an emergency demand it.

Mason Bee Invasion This is the time of year for the industrious mason bee to invade buildings and deposit its eggs together with spiders and mud in all soirts of holes and eorners. Many Whakatane district householders are being kept busy removing the masonly of the mason bees.

NEW ZEALANDERS have been tied to no other front in the process of this the greatest war of all time, in the same manner as to the Libyan campaign, the ebb and flow of which continues to give rise to widespread speculation, alternative optimism and concern. The victorious drive which rolled back once again the enemy occupation of Solium, Tobruk, Derna and Benghazi,, is climaxed by the picture of the apparently defeated Rommel retaking Benghazi and; proceeding to launch a strong counter offensive which looks like a real threat to the whole of the campaign . The most amazing fact presenting itself is that the German General has achieved this feat in the face of Allied air ascendency —an accomplishment hitherto considered impossible. Of all the freakish twists which the progress of the war has presented, history will probably regard the conquest of Cyrenaica as the most contradictory, illusionary and. inexplicable. Tens of thousands of Italians failed to. hold the barren desert sands against the brilliant .strategy of General Wavell fifteen months ago. The invincible Allied army in a lightning campaign swept all before it, halting at Benghazi only to recoup and to establish fresh bases. Heavy sandstorms also prevented,/ further advancement for the time being, while the Greecian front was opening up and drawing hesfvily upon the personnel of the Army of the Nile. In that brief period of-respite: the tide of battle turned,, and in turn the weakened Allied army was ( forced to retreat almost as quickly as it had entered. German Panza divisions played the greatest part in turning the tables but heavy Italian reinforcements had also been hurried to the scene. The old positions on the Egyptian border were taken up, with the exception of Tcbruk, the gallant garrison of which maintained a stoic defence throughout the whole twelve months stalemate which followed. The second phase opened with dramatic suddenness last November, when with masterful secrecy the Eighth Army was marshalled at the border line and at a given signal advanced to the reconquest of the sun-scorched waste. The New Zealand Division played a key part in the scheme of attack and their dashing drive to create a corridor to Tobruk was one of the most praiseworthy features of the campaign. In the face of ceaseless hammering by .the R.A.F., the redoubtable Rommel turned and fled. One by one with the regularity of the original campaign the desert centres were annexed, from- Fort Cupruzzo all along the coast and djeep inland to Benghazi. Victory-—all along the line of advance, and the jubilant communiques which streamed over the radio proclaimed the removal of the threat to Egypt, forever. And then, once again, the inexplicable halt at Benghazi—this tifhe due to violent rain storms, and the creation of marshes and artificial lakes in the desert. Rommel's position however is still regarded as hopeless, and the Air Force pound him unmercifully. But strangely enough our c'Vr mastery is not-sufficient to stem the bold counter-at-tack and over the week-end the War Office is forced to admit the loss for the. second time in twelve months of Benghazi and the withdrawal of our troops. Again the Nazis are threatening a, counter attack, their depleted ranks being filled with men drawn fresh from Italian reserves transported over the Mediterranean and tank units released from Russia. The fate of Libya still trembles in the balance, for victory at the last moment seems to have been snatched from our hands. The outcome will be decided by the forthcoming battle for which both sides are preparing, and which is likely to be the most bitter of- the campaign. Both armies, it is reported have been strongly reinforced. The British have withdrawn to new lines wherewith to consolidate their front. Rommel advances in two strong columns east of Benghazi. The coming clash will tell the tale. But in the meantime we await the outcome with no little anxiety for as in. the initial advance it can be expected that the New Zealand Division will play a prominent part in the action.

The Haymaking Season On most farms in the Whakatane district haymaking has been finished for the time being or for the season. Hay cut in December and early January is now safely harvested. Many farmers on the Rangitaiki Plains are looking forward to getting a second cut of hay from their paspalum paddocks.