AFRICAN SECOND FRONT

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 250, 23 October 1942, Page 5

AFRICAN SECOND FRONT

ATTACK ON LIBYA FROM CHAD INTERE STIN G PARIS STORY.

P.A, Gable.

LONDON, Oct. 21.

The big battle of North Africa is abou't to start, says Paris radio. The lull may end at any moment. Both sides are aecumulating hiige masses of war material for a great clash. The Daily Mail's Madrid correspondent says that some Vicliy sources suggest that any Allied attack from West Africa is more iikely to be directed against Libya than against Dakar. They assert that forces equalling and probably exceeding the Eighth Army have been concentrated in regions north oi' Lake Chad. These consist mainly of Americans and Fighting French, with a . powerful air force and 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 the mobile armoured column recently raided Bengazhi aerodrome. The attack has not yet been launehed beeause it is necessary to build up immense reserves at bases, and also along the lines of march, which foliow the three main caravan routes. The success of this drive would sweep French North Africa to General de Gaulle, and again give Mediterranean supremaey to the British Navy, and would be the beginning of an effecti\7e second front in the south.