COASTAL ADVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24407, 19 September 1940, Page 7

COASTAL ADVANCE

THE ITALIAN FORCES HARASSED BY AIRCRAFT NO MAJOR ENGAGEMENT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ■ ■ ' . LONDON, Sept. 17. . (Received Sept. 18, at 11 p.m.) The occupation of Sidi Barrani brought the Italian advance 75 miles from the frontier in five days, establishing Marshal Graziani’s forces at the commencement of a fine asphalted road running through Mersa Matruh to Alexandria. The spearhead of the invading forces, totalling three divisions, is already on and pushing along this road. Others are frantically “ digging in ” at Solium and Sidi Barrani, which the attackers intend to use as bases for their operations from the oases further inland. The road from Solium runs southward to the oasis of Siwa, to which the Italians apparently intend to advance immediately they have consolidated their coastal invasion. Indeed, their supporting forces are Already spreading southward. Two columns, keeping .fairly, closedogether.areleading the coastal advance. They are using 3 AmgdunTi'tanks .of ;.! 1 tons, with a large’ number *)f flight’ tanks, which, rehihoweverr have - ’ proved especially vulnerable to the British fire. No major engagement has yet occurred, but air battles under the terrific desert heat and In sandstorms rage fiercely througput the day. Hurricanes and Blenheims hurl themselves down on the tank columns, troops and transports, and-the artillery pounds the invaders. Warships shell their path from the sea. The Italians also are using bombers and fighters freely to support their land forces. . The R.A.F. continued its strafing throughout the night as the Italians sought a few hours’ rest and endeavoured to rush up supply wagons to establish water, fuel, ammunition and food dumps which are essential if the long lines of communication are not to become a liability, spelling failure for Marshal Graziani’s task. Retreat now with-'the advancing divisions locked under the Libyan escarpment would be disastrous. ,/i : ’ Italian military circles claim that Solium is an important gain because it is the only natural harbour between Libya and Alexandria which is the Italians’ main objective. They declare that Solium can afford shelter for the largest naval units in the- world ; and also protection against the treacherous African winds because the port is surrounded by a horse-shoe chain of hills.