IN THE DESERT

Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 8

IN THE DESERT

INTERNATIONAL FIGHTERS AWAITING THE ITALIAN ADVANCE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 7. The Cairo correspondent of ‘ The Times’ says: “International fighters from many parts of Europe are filtering down to the Near East. Australians and New Zealandfc-.s find themselves beside Czechs, Rumanians, Austrians, Finns, and Roles. They have come to carry on their war against Hitler with cavalry, artillery, infantry, machinegunners, and anti-aircraft gunners. Under a starlit sky they mustered at a spot where they will be close at band when Alarshal Graziani really tries to advance into Egypt. They arc encamped across 1,000 miles of desert, some under palms now heavily dateladen and some in coves by the sea, while some have burrowed into ancient Roman baths and catacombs.

The troops are amused by the Italians’ new trick of using bombs resembling bully beef tins, beer cans, and thermos flasks. The bombs explode when the caps are removed. The troops gathered several thousand of these, which were exploded in a large dump. Other trophies are Italian motor cycles which led the advance to Sidi Barrani, and British staff officers now bounce across the desert on them. ITALIAN SUBMARINES TWENTY-TWO DESTROYED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 8. (Received October 9, at 9.20 a.m.) Naval sources at Alexandria report that two Italian submarines were sunk in the Central Mediterranean recently 'by the British Fleet, bringing the number of submarines lost by Italy since she entered the war to 22. The submarines were forced to the surface by depth charges dropped by destroyers. One submarine was followed and constantly attacked for several hours, and bombed by a British aeroplane when it appeared on the surface. Later it was sunk by gunfire. The other submarine was sunk by depth charges. Alany survivors were picked up by British destroyers. EGYPTIAN PRISONERS RELEASED BY ITALIANS ROAIE, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.30 a.m.) The radio announced that Egyptians taken prisoner by the Italians will be released. ITALIAN MERCHANTMAN SUNK ADMISSION FROM ROME ROME, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.15 a.m.) A communique states: “An Italian merchantman was torpedoed in the Western Mediterranean. The Italians were successful in an encounter between patrols near El Katulio, in Kenya. The enemy fled after heavy losses.” ITALIAN NAVY CASUALTIES IN SEPTEMBER ROME, October 8. It is officially stated in Rome that Italy’s naval casualties during September were 63 killed, 60 wounded; and 116 missing. TARGET FOR R.A.F. ENEMY IN SIDI BARRANI AREA CAIRO, October 8. (Received October 9, at 1.30 p.m.) It is officially stated that a formation of R.A.F. bombers attacked motor transports and tents south-eastward of Sidi Barrani. All the bombs burst in the target area. Units of the South African Air Force intercepted a formation of Italian planes in the Galabat area. One of the Italian machines was shot down and another seriously damaged. PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT EMPIRE CONTRIBUTIONS LONDON, October 7. Gifts for the purchase of aircraft have reached £6,000,000, of which the colonies have contributed £4,000,000 and the dominions and Britain £1,000,000 each. Donations are arriving every day and have increased since the blitzkrieg was intensified. SHIPPING LOSSES WEEKLY RETURNS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 8. (Received October 9, at 9.20 a.m.) Fifteen ships, of a total tonnage of 72,337 tons, were lost through enemy action in the week ending September 29-30, including 10 British (55,927 tons), fonr Allied (12,119 tons), and one neutral (4,291 tons).