DEFENCE OF EGYPT PROPER

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

DEFENCE OF EGYPT PROPER

OUTLINE OF BRITISH TACTICS

•l-'-/- LONDON, Sept. 17. (Received Sept, 18, at 10 p.m.) An official British spokesman in Cairo said: “We are not defending the long desert line from Solium, but we will certainly defend Egypt proper,’ namely, the delta and the Nile Valley Between these extremities lies our course of-action, which is directed not to occupation or retention’of this area, but to destruc-

anti-aircraft guns and searchlights around the two cities. Egyptians and Sudanese man frontier observation posts. Native anti-aircraft gunners at Alexandria have been signally successful in repulsing 75 Italian raids, which have killed 10 and wounded 40 civilians. The Italians have repeatedly missed their objective,, which is the British Fleet. The commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Territorial Army, forecast-

tion of the enemy’s forces. Territorial readjustments will follow naturally when this is achieved, as it will be.” The Cairo correspondent ot The Times says Egypt’s army of 30,000 will unquestionably fight at the appropriate lime. Already the native army is carrying out manoeuvres outside Cairo and in the desert. Long convoys of the Egyptian Army’s camouflaged trucks, Bren gun carriers and artillery are filing across the capital. Their equipment is superior to anything yet captured from the Italians. Volunteers and civil guards, have taken over security jobs in Cairo and Alexandria Regular Egyptian troops guard the Nile bridges, and Egyptians man

ing increasingly powerful forces, said: “We can train 200.000 annually. A leading Arabic newspaper. Alahram, says: “ Egyptians have full confidence in their leaders, and await patiently the outcome of their discussions. but they earnestly hope they will not have to wait too long.” All the newspapers are most friendly towards Britain, and Italian propaganda articles have entirely disappeared. The Egyptian War Minister, Mahmud Fahmy Selkissy, has already begun discussions with senior British and Egyptian military officers regarding the role the Egyptian Army will play in view of an invasion.