POWERFUL FORCES

Evening Star, Issue 24333, 23 October 1942, Page 3

POWERFUL FORCES

ALLIES IN WEST AFRICA MAY MAKE FLANK ATTACK ON LIBYA LONDON, October 22. “ The big battle of North Africa is about to start,” says the Laris radio. “ The lull may cud at any moment. Both sides are accumulating huge masses of war material for the great clash.” The Madrid correspondent of the ‘ Daily Mail ’ says that some Vichy sources suggest that any Allied attack from West Africa is more likely to be directed against Libya than against Dakar. They assert that forces equalling and probably exceeding the Eighth Army have been concentrated' in the regions north of Lake Chad. These consist mainly of Americans and Fighting French, with a powerful air force, and l a wealth of tanks, guns, and tractors. This force is reported to be capable of crossing the 700 miles of desert to the Mediterranean. Vichy military circles assert that the route was reconnoitred when a mobile armoured column recently raided the Benghazi aerodrome. The attack has not yet been launched because it is necessary to build up immense reserves at the bases and also along the lines of march which follow' three main caravan routes. The success of this_ drive would sweep French North Africa to General do Gaulle, and again give Mediterranean supremacy to the British Navy. It would be the beginning of an effective second front in the scKith, The Havas Agency announced that Admiral Darlan, the commander-in-chief of Vichy’s naval forces, has gone to Dakar on a visit of inspection.