HUGGING THE COAST

Evening Star, Issue 23685, 19 September 1940, Page 9

HUGGING THE COAST

THE ADVANCE CONTINUES HO OPPOSITION YET ENCOUNTERED LONDON, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11.45 a.m.) The British United Press’s Cairo correspondent says the Italians are moving up, hugging the coastline, and are reported to have reached the oasis of Sidi Omar, 26 miles from Solium. The two columns to reach Sidi Barrani are reported to be comprised of light tanks, of which militarists have not a high opinion. The troops are comprised of metropolitan forces, with no natives, and they are strongly supported by artillery mounted on trucks. The Italian -water supply is apparently efficient, enabling rapid advance in spite of the wells in the vicinity having been rendered useless. The newspaper ‘ Almisri ’ says the Western Egyptian Desert is destined to be the burial ground of Fascism. The Italians must cross 400 miles before reaching the Nile. The ‘ Journal de Egypt ’ says the Italian advance cannot be described as an attack, since no opposition has'yet been offered. COMMUNIQUE FROM ROME ROME, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11.55 a.m.) A communique states: Italian native troops continuing their victorious advance have occupied Sidi Barrani and are organising a new base and communications. The native troops have again shown their high quality and absolute loyalty to Italy. We smashed at all points the stubborn enemy resistance, backed by armoured units. The air force participated in the battle, bombing and machine-gunning the enemy. We shot down five Glosters in flames, and probably destroyed a sixth. Four Italian planes have not returned. The enemy raided Benghazi, sinking a barge and a torpedo boat, and causing a few fires. RAIDS ON MALTA THREE ENEMY PLANES DOWN MALTA, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11.20 a.m.) Several enemy formations damaged Government property on the morning of September 16. British fighters drove off another formation in the afternoon, shooting down three planes and taking one pilot prisoner. No bombs were dropped.