BLACKSHIRTS PUSH ON

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1940, Page 7

BLACKSHIRTS PUSH ON

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

POUNDED BY DEFENDERS

Received 11.15 p.m. London, September 18. JTALIAN mechanised forces from Libya have occupied Sidi Barrani, 75 miles within the Egyptian frontier, and troops behind the leading columns are digging in at Sollum. A road from Sollum runs southward to the oasis of Siwa, to which the Italians apparently intend to advance immediately they have consolidated their coastal invasion. Supporting forces are already spreading southward. Two columns which are keeping fairly close together are leading the coastal advance, using medium tanks of 11 tons, with a large number of light tanks, which, however, 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. Hurricanes and 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 are also using bomber-fighters freely to support the land forces. The Royal Air Force continues its strafmg throughout the night while the Italians seek a few hours' rest and endeavour to ru'sh up supply waggons and establish water, fuel, ammunition. and food dumps, which are essential if their long lines of communication are not to become a liability that will spell failure for Marshal Graziani's task. Retreat now, with the divisions locked under the Libyan escarpment, would be disastrous.

It is officially stated at Cairo that the Italian motorised ■ columns which occupied Sidi Barrani have pushed out covering forces southward and westward. The occupation of Sidi Barrani has brought the Italian advance 75 miles from the frontier in five days, establishnig Marshal Graziani, the Italian commander, at the commencement 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. Others are frantically digging in at Sollum and Sidi Barrani, which they intend to use as bases for operations from bases further inland. Italian military circles claim that Sollum is important because it is the only natural harbour between Libya and Alexandria, which is the Italians' main objective. They declare that Sollum can alford shelter for the largest naval units in the world and protection against the treacherous African winds because it is surrounded by a horseshoe chain of hills. "A series of bombing raids was made last night on enemy motor concentrations

~~—rn'mmJm*rwrwrmrmn*-mm-ir-mr-mr-m-ym r~m 9 m ra m m m m m - - at Buqbuq," said a Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo yesterday. "Many direct hits were observed, resulting in numerous fires and explosions. "Againsi Entrea there was a successiul attack on Asmara aerodrome, a direct liit being scored on a hangar. A formation of enemy bombers approached Malta yesterday. but turned away without dropping bombs on the appearance of )ur fighters. From all operations the British aircraft returned safely " "Severe fighting occurred at Sidi Barrani," said an Italian communique. "The battle is continuing." ■