ILLA WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1940, Page 5

ILLA WARFARE

-—OPERATIONS ON LIBYAN

FRONTIER MANY ENEMY PRISONERS TAKEN LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILSON’S SURVEY. fßy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 3. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times’’ says that the British commander, Lieu-tenant-General Wilson, sinnniiiig' up the military situation in Egyptian territory, said: “Our first job was to break down 200 miles of wire fence on the Libyan frontier, which was garrisoned by Libyan troops under Italian officers. Our mechanised patrols carried out the task and also penetrated the Italian territory deeply.

“These operations, which were aimed to create a situation giving scope for our mobile units, have been carried out under severe difficulties--the heat, lack of water, sandstorms, absence of cover, and lack of good communications.

“The success of our operations, in which patrols have constantly harassed the enemy and collected information deep in the enemy territory, shows the definite superiority of the British troops who. in spite of the fact that they are always fighting against a numerically superior enemy, have captured many prisoners, including a large number of Italian officers. None of our men have been captured. "In short, we are fighting a very successful guerilla campaign under conditions which do not allow the employment of forces on the European lines.”

“The Times” correspondent declares that the conditions are similar on the frontiers of Sudan and Kenya, where constant British patrols are harassing and demoralising the enemy’s native troops. The spirits of the British on all fronts are high. DESERT FIGHTING ITALIAN EFFORT TO CAPTURE VILLAGE. CAIRO, July 3. A communique issued by the British Middle East headquarters states: “Tanks, artillery and aircraft are participating in a battle in the scorching desert in the Capuzzo area, where the Italians are making their first serious attempt to retaliate after the initial British advances. “The Italians, it is believed, are attempting to capture Solium because their propaganda features this tiny, battered village as an important naval base and frontier junction. The Italians are employing much more powerful effectives than they have had hitherto.” AIR FIGHTING BALANCE HEAVILY AGAINST ITALIANS. AT LEAST SIXTY PLANES DESTROYED. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) CAIRO, July 3. It is unofficially reported that the R.A.F. had destroyed at least 60 Italian planes up to June 30, and another 25 are believed to have been lost. The R.A.F. losses have been very small. ENEMY AERODROME HEAVILY AND EFFECTIVELY BOMBED. FIERCE FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS CAUSED. CAIRO, July 3. An R.A.F. communique says: “R.A.F. fighters carried out an operation against the Macaca aerodrome, which was heavily bombed and machinegunned. A bomb dump was directly hit and a fierce blaze was followed by a heavy explosion. Subsequently two petrol dumps were set on fire. Two enemy fighters were shot down and a grounded machine was destroyed. All our planes returned.” ON MANY FRONTS LAND AND AIR OPERATIONS. SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS MADE BY BRITISH BOMBERS. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, July 3. A Cairo communique states: “Sidi Barrani and Mersamatruh were again bombed cn Monday, but there were no casualties and the damage inflicted was negligible. "In Somaliland a frontier post at Bosantino, held by regulars, was engaged by a detachment of the Camel Corps on Sunday, and casualties were inflicted. We lust one Somali killed. “R.A.F. bombers, operating from the Sudan, attacked an Italian military concentration at Metemma with satisfactory results. Fires were started in native troop quarters and machine-gun and artillery posts were severely damaged. Our aircraft encountered heavy machine-gun lire, but all returned safely. "Aircraft of the Rhodesian Squadron of the R.A.F. carried out yesterday afternoon a raid on a military concentration in the Moyale Area, scoring several direct hits and causing considerable damage.” The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr R. A. Butler, answering a House of Commons question, said there was evidence of strong potential resistance in Abyssinia.