WATER SHORTAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 5

WATER SHORTAGE

PROBLEM FOR ITALIANS IN LIBYA RIDICULOUS STORIES ABOUT FLEET. ACTIVE OPERATIONS CALLED FLIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 20. "The Times" says the water ration for the Italian troops in Bardia is two litres a day for all purposes, compared with the British equivalent of four litres for drinking only. If the enemy crosses the Egyptian frontier he will find very limited supplies of water only at great depth for about 150 miles and will .be compelled to carry large quantities.

British airmen in the Middle East are doing valuable work under difficulties. When the wind raises the desert dust there is possibly dust haze up to 10.000 feet, reducing visibility practically to nothing. The Italian wireless, boasting of the damage which it alleged the recent Italian raids on Alexandria had inflicted. added that it was reported that the British Fleet was "withdrawing from this base." This has drawn the comment from London observers that the British Mediterranean Fleet, unlike the Italian Navy, frequently leaves its base in order to cruise in the Mediterranean and to take the offensive against Italian forces. It would appear that the Italian wireless is endeavouring to distract attention from these operations and their true significance by depicting them as a flight of the British Navy from danger.