NORTH AFRICAN FADE OUT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 63, 9 April 1943, Page 4

NORTH AFRICAN FADE OUT

WHILE not seeking in any way to belittle the task which still lies ahead of the combined First and Eighth Armies in Tunisia, we feel that we can honestly say that the junction of the American and British Forces in North Afriica has definitely spelt 'curtains' for Rommel's Afrika Corns-To-day we can stand in quiet survey of the concluding stages of the three and a half years struggle for the mas-', tery of Egypt—and it is our proud privilege to record the: hard won victory which has rewarded the tenacity and dogged courage of the* Empire's fighting men. Throughout its painful' course the barometer of battle has fluctuated from major victory to devastating defeat for both ourselves and our enemies. The arid [Libyan plains are studded with the mingled dead of freedom and of bondage. The Tunisian sands are once again shrouding our dearest and our best. But were we apt to dwell too often upon our own misfortunes and losses, let us contemplate the bitter pic-> ture which this campaign must present to our foemen. Gone, perhaps forever, the braggart Mussolini's dream of power. Smashed to atoms the. Empire which even before his meteoric ascent to power was an integral part of Italy herself. To-day with the avenging sword of Democles suspended above his head the Fascist Dictator is desperately preparing the Fatherland itself for the inevitable invasion for which he alone is responsible. Haunted by dreams of his own contemptible conquests of peaceful Albania- and unsuspecting Abyssinia, he has lived to regret to the utmost depths of his heart that lust for power and aggrandisment which led him to stab hapless France in the - back. The African scene must preclude the continental invasion which will ring from one end of enslaved Europe to the other and will lead to the rising of all freedom loving men. Great days are ahead of us and in contemplating their glorious vista may we retain something of the humbleless taught us in the time of danger and remain worthy of the peace, as we are of the victory we will assuredly achieve.