75 MILES COVERED IN FIVE DAYS

Southland Times, Issue 24235, 19 September 1940, Page 7

75 MILES COVERED IN FIVE DAYS

Advance Towards Matruh BASES FOR OPERATIONS IN EGYPT PREPARED (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 18, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The occupation of Sidi Barrani has brought the Italian advance 75 miles from the Libyan-Egyptian frontier in five days establishing the forces of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani at the start of the 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. Other troops are frantically digging in at Solium and Sidi-Barrani, which they intend to use as bases for operations from oases further inland.

Italian experts claim that Solium is important because it is the only natural harbour between Libya and Alexandria, which is the Italians’ main objective. They declare that Solium will afford shelter for the largest naval units in the world, also protection against the treacherous African winds because it is surrounded by a horseshoe chain of hills.

A 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, supporting forces are already spreading southward. Two columns, keeping fairly close together, are leading the coastal advance. They are using medium tanks of 11 tons with a large number of light tanks, which, however, have proved especially vulnerable to British fire.

No major engagement has yet occurred, but air battles under the terrific desert heat and sandstorms rage fiercely throughout the day. Hawker Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheims hurl themselves down on the tank columns, troops and transports, artillery pounds the invaders and warships shell their path from the sea. The Italians also are using bombers and fighters freely to support their land forces. The Royal Air Force continues its strafing throughout the night as the Italians seek a few hours’ rest and endeavour to rush up supply wagons to establish water, fuel, ammunition and food dumps, which are essential if their long lines of communication are not to become a liability, spelling failure. Marshal Graziani’s task of retreat now, with his divisions locked under the Libyan escarpment, would be disastrous.