ITALIAN PENETRATION OF DESERT AREA

Southland Times, Issue 24233, 17 September 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN PENETRATION OF DESERT AREA

ENEMY SEVERELY HANDLED BY BRITISH FORCES

(United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 16, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 15.

A communique issued in Cairo states that the penetration of the Italian forces into the desert area of Egypt evacuated by the British continues. Camps are being constructed in the neighbourhood of Birnum. seven miles south of Solium. The enemy has suffered a severe handling by aircraft and armoured fighting vehicles and columns descending to the coastal plain at Halfaya suffered heavily from British artillery fire. While British casualties continue to be insignificant, the enemy is believed to have lost many men and vehicles. Another raider has been brought down by anti-aircraft fire over Mersa-Matruh. There is nothing to report on the other fronts.

A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states that in the Western Desert, where Italian bombers were active on the night of September 13, British bombers made a successful attack on concentrations of enemy motor transport in the Solium area. Bombs in one case fell on vehicles, a number of which was hit. In another case bombs fell among troops and vehicles, a fire being started. In the Sudan enemy aircraft dropped bombs at Khoryabis, south-east of Khartoum. No material damage was caused. Our aircraft made attacks on Gura aerodrome, a direct hit being observed on a hangar and other buildings and a number of intense fires being started. Our bombers again raided Assab.

raiders, but without success. Another fire was started at Massawa.

It is reported in official circles in Rome that the Italians hope to reach Alexandria in a minimum of one month and a maximum of two months.

The Cairo correspondent of the British United Press says that the Italians yesterday advanced across the Egyptian frontier and occupied Solium, from which the British withdrew six weeks ago. It is not clear whether the invasion of Egypt proper has begun. British armoured units are harassing the Italians. RAID IN ABYSSINIA A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states that an 579 aircraft was shot down by a British fighter over the Mediterranean on September 11. On September 12 aircraft of the South African Air Force raided aerodromes in central Abyssinia. At Gimma there was a direct hit on a hangar and fires broke out among buildings, one Caproni aircraft being destroyed and another extensively damaged. At Sciassimanna a headquarters building was hit and one Savoia aircraft was destroyed and three others damaged. A motor transport convoy was machine-gunned. From these operations one of the South African aircraft failed to return. Royal Air Force bombers raided Somaliland and Eritrea on Septem-

ber 13. At Berbera, bombs fell on the European quarter and at Assab

there was a direct hit on the harbour jetty. The Gura and Asmara aerodromes were attacked and buildings set on fire. Enemy fighters attempted to intercept the

The confidence which the Egyptian Government clearly places in the British Navy has enabled the Mecca pilgrimage, in which the faithful cross the Red Sea between Suez and Jedda, to continue to be made. The Egyptian Prime Minister (Hassan Sabry Pasha) on Friday instructed all Mudirs and Governors to announce to the nation that persons desiring to make the pilgrimage should submit their applications in the usual way. Hassan Sabry Pasha, by this decision, gives further proof that the necessary withdrawal of British troops from Somaliland has in no way reduced the effective British control of the Red Sea.