ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN AFRICA

Southland Times, Issue 24234, 18 September 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN AFRICA

GERMAN ATTACK ON BRITAIN AWAITED I ... . - 4 (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 17,11.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. ,

The correspondent of The Times on the Italian frontier says it is officially announced from Rome that the Italian offensive in Egypt is timed to coincide with the German thrust against Britain. Despatches from Addis Ababa state that the Italians are advancing across the Egyptian frontier at several points, throwing in regulars, Black Shirts and mechanized units, also camel corps from Libya.

A communique issued in Cairo states that although the main Italian forces appear to be consolidating their position round Solium, strong elements of armoured fighting vehicles are now in contact with British advance troops about Buq-Buq. Throughout Sunday the enemy was successfully harried by the Royal Air Force and artillery fire from our mobile guns. Other fronts are quiet.

The Italians, using picked motorized units as a spearhead, continued to push eastward from Buq-Buq, despite serious losses. German experts are assisting the Italian Commander (Marshal Rodolfo Graziani). Many native Libyan units are included in the consolidatory forces at Solium; The Italians, following the coastal road, have no reason to pause at Buq-Buq, which is at present without any population and without water.

The beginning of the Italian offensive is marked by the end of the desert storms which in recent weeks have stirred up a powdery sand, making impossible the use of motorized vehicles, even tanks, because of the weight of sand infiltring the engines. Italian pilots report that the British rushing up naval units from Alexandria and other parts of the Mediterranean, have begun shelling the roads leading to Alexandria along which the Italians are reported to be fighting their way. It is also indicated that Marshal Graziani’s push to Egypt will be followed by general activity of the Italian anpy in Kenya, also along the border of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The' possibility of “expeditionary action” from the air is also reported from Rome.

The Cairo correspondent of The Times says ft is understood that the Egyptian Government views the new situation with equanimity. It is generally accepted that the Egyptian forces have a place in the scheme of defence. Egypt will play its part when called on. A French unit formed in Egypt from followers of General de Gaulle is among the troops facing the Italians. It includes professional soldiers, reservists, Foreign Legionaries and natives from Senegal. A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo on Monday says that the Royal Air Force bomber and fighter forces are active in Libya and

the western desert area. Yesterday our fighters shot down six enemy bombers, the loss of which has been confirmed, and probably three others. One aircraft failed to return.

Last night a large motor transport column was successfully attacked near Buq-Buq. Numerous petrol fires were started and were visible 100 miles away. An enemy vehicle column moving eastwards along the track east of Buq-Buq was bombed yesterday. Bombs were observed to fall on the column and many fires could be seen 40 miles away. RAIDS ON MALTA

Enemy aircraft attacked one British aerodrome without result and did not do any damage. In two enemy raids on Malta immaterial damage was caused and an enemy dive bomber was damaged by our fighters. In the Eritrea a bomber attacked the Assad naval barracks and fires were started. Direct hits were registered on hangars and buildings in Gurra and in a further attack in Adiveri and Gurra aerodromes, hangars and buildings were set on fire, the blaze being visible 50 miles away. In spite of poor weather Asmara was attacked and two big fires were started in the aerodrome buildings. An 579 which attempted to raid Aden was intercepted by our fighters and damaged. BRITISH CAUSE GAINS IN SYRIA

(Received September 17, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The Angora correspondent of The Times says that reports from Syria confirm the friction between the civilian and military authorities and the Italian Disarmament Commission. The period of Anglophobia after the British action against the French Fleet at Oran has passed and sentiment, except among the French reservists, who merely want to return home, is increasingly in favour of General de Gaulle. This tendency is assisted by the news that the position of the Vichy Government is becoming shaky because of differences with the German authorities. The Italian commission is demanding the immobilization of Fr enc h planes and a guarantee that troops will not enter British service. It is also seeking a share in .the political control of Syria. The Turks believe that the situation in Syria will work out in favour of Britain. Whether the commission is successful or unsuccessful one thing is certain: the neighbouring States will agree that neither the Italians nor the Germans must be permited to gain a footing in Syria.

BRITISH SEAPLANE SHOT DOWN

(Received September 17, 6.30 p.m.)

VICHY, September 17. It is officially stated that a French fighter patrol shot down a British seaplane near Casablanca after the seaplane had opened fire. Three members of the crew were rescued.