NO PAUSE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1940, Page 8

NO PAUSE

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

BRITISH FORAYS POUNDING OF ITALIANS ceaseless hammer1ng

Rec. 6.30 p.m. Cairo, bept. tv. There is no change in the general situation in the Western Desert but the Royal Air Force, artillery and warships continue their relentless pounding of Marshal Graziani's supply columns west of Sidi Barrani. It is now revealed that the Italians suffered heavily at Sidi Barrani on Tuesday. the British forces taking them by surprise. Italian planes ineffectually attempted to bomb the British fleet at Alexandria early this morning, unloading explosives against the port area. AlLI the bombs fell harmlessly into the sea. The planes were forced back after a 45-minute alarm. British Communiques. A military communique states that anti-aireraft guns at Mersa Matruh brought down a raider. A Royal Air Force communique says: "We raided grounded aircraft at Menastir in the Western Desert and caused considerable damage. An enemy plane flew into a bursting bomb and is believed to have been destroyed. We damaged a concentration of motor transport at Sidi Barrani. The enemy raided Mersa Matruh and caused slight damage. "We successfully bombed Direwada and Berbera and twice attacked the Gura aerodrome, setting fire to workshops. We bombed the military post at Mersa Taclai on the coast of Eritrea, causing severe damage." • ' Egyptian party leaders continue their conferences with the Government regarding a declaration of war. Four prominent. pro-war. Ministers have resigned. It is stated. that the _ Cabinet refused to be rushed into decisions but is awaiting developments. Britain Astounds World. Ahmed Maher, leader of the Saadist Party and Speaker of the Chamber, is heading a c-mpaign for Egypt's entry into the war. In a speech he said: "The enemy has invaded our country and attacked our children. We cannot be onlookers. We must disregard our own strength and stand beside a strong ally whose mighty fleet and mighty air force has astounded the world. They have proved able to frustrate the enemy in his own coimtry and also to confound him in ours."