ITALIAN OFFENSIVE STARTED

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE STARTED

Advance Into Egypt British Shelling Coastal Road Attacks on Other Fronts Expected Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 17. 4 The Times ’ correspondent on the Italian frontier says it is officially announced from Eome that the Italian offensive in Egypt is timed to coincide with the German thrust againstBritain. Despatches from Addis Ababa state that the Italians are advancing across the Egyptian frontier at several points and are throwing in regulars, Black Shirts and mechanised units, as well as camel corps from Libya. The beginning of the offensive is marked by the end of the desert storms which in recent weeks have stirred up powdery sand, rendering impossible the use of motorised vehicles (even tanks because of their weight). sand filtering into the engines. Italian pilots report that the British are rushing up naval units from Alexandria and other parts of the Mediterranean and have begun shelling the roads leading to Alexandria, along which the Italians are reported to be fighting their way. ' It is also indicated that Marshal Graziani's push to Egypt will be followed by general activity by the Italian army against Kenya, as well as along the border of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The possibility of “ expeditionary action ” from the air is also reported from Home. ~ - The Cairo correspondent of ‘ The Times * says it is understood that the Egyptian Government views the new situation with equanimity. It is generally accepted that the Egyptian, forces have a place in the scheme of defence and that Egypt will play her part when called on. A French unit formed in Egypt from the followers of General de Gaulle is among the troops facing the Italians. It includes professional soldiers, reservists, Foreign Legionaires, and natives from Senegal.

PICKED ITALIAN UNITS USED AS SPEARHEAD OF ADVANCE PUSHING FORWARD DESPITE SERIOUS LOSSES CAIRO, September 17. The Italians, using picked motorised units as a spearhead, have continued to push eastward from Buqbuq, despite serious losses German experts are assisting General Graziani. Many native Libyan units have been included in the consolidatory forces at Solium, The Italians, who are following the coastal road, have no reason to pause at Buqbuq, which is at present depopulated and without water, British advance troops have made contact with strong detachments of Italian armoured vehicles near Buqbuq, a dried-up well; halfway between Solium and Sidi Birani. The Italian advance is proceeding slowly, and while strong armoured units are pushing forward the main forces are consolidating their positions around Solium. The Royal Air Force successfully bombed a motor transport column near Buqbuq, and started fires which could be seen 40 miles away. Another column moving eastwards from Buqbuq was also attacked and again many fires were started. There has been no further news of the threatened Italian advance on the Sudan from the south-east corner of Libya and Eritrea, and these forces are apparently awaiting a move by Marshal Graziani in the north. Cairo had an air raid warning lasting for 45 minutes this morning. This is the first for two months. Cairo is only partially blacked-out, as it is an open town, and it is hoped that it will escape bombing as a holy place of the Moslems. ITALIAN ADVANCE FROM LIBYA SHARP FIGHTING DN DESERT FLANKS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 10.15 a.m.) ‘‘ The Prime Minister prefaced his remarks in the House of Commons on the progress of the Battle for Britain with a brief reference to the operations in East Africa. “ Th% advance of the Italian army from Libya is in progress,” he said. “ Two British platoons which have, been holding Solium have been withdrawn. Sharp fighting is taking place upon the desert flanks between armoured vehicles, but the enemy is still at some distance from dur positions of resistance. We must see what happens.”

ADVANCE CONTINUES MDTORISED COLUMNS REACH SIDI BARRANI CAIRO, September 17. (Received September 18, at 12.5 p.m.1l It is officially stated that Italian motorised columns have occupied Sidi Warrant, 60 miles along the coast, and have pushed out covering forces southward and westward. R.A.F. HARASSES INVADERS NUMEROUS FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 1.50 p.m.)] A R.A.F, communique issued m Cairo states: “ A series of boirfbn.g raids was made o u Monday night oa enemy motor transports and concentrations east of Buqbuq. Many direct hit* were observed, resulting in numerous fires and explosions. Against Eritrea there was a successful attack on Asmara aerodrome, direct hits being scored on the hangar. A formation of enemy bombers approached Malta on Monday, but turned away without dropping bombs on the appearance of our fighters. From all these operation! the British aircraft returned safely. AID FDR ETHIOPIANS - LIBERATION FROM ITALIAN AGGRESSIW (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 11.15 a.m.)’ The British Government, stated Lord Templemore in the House of Lords, hat no territorial or other ambitions in Ethiopia, but is anxious to see that country liberating itself from Italian aggression. The Government would give all possible assistance to thosn Ethiopians who have already taken up or will take up arms against the invader. FLYING BOATS PURCHASE BY AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE, September 17. The War Cabinet decided to-day. t« purchase from the United States 11 P.B.Y. flying boats at a cost of £1,000,000. The Prime Minister (Mr R. G* Menzies) said that delivery was expected to begin before the end of th» year. The machines will take the place of 20 Sunderlands ordered from Britain last year, but which were later handed to the British Government as a coastal command unit. Each P.B.Y, has a maximum speed of 205 miles an hour and carries % crew of six. It is highly suited lor long-range patrols.