THE MIDDLE EAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1940, Page 5

THE MIDDLE EAST

BRITIISH DEFENCES MUCH STRENGTHENED STRONG AND WELL-TRAINED ARMIES. OPERATIONS IN THE SUDAN. A Cairo military communique reports an unchanged situation in Egypt, Kenya and Palestine, the E.B C. states. In the Sudan, fighting patrols have been active east of Gal'abat, which remains in British hands. Activity continues also in Kassala area, where 262 enemy prisoners have been taken. A statement issued on the return of the British Secretary for War, Mr. Eden, from his tour of the Middle East states that the British forces in that region have been steadily reinforced in men and equipment. The defensive positions in the Western Desert have been improved greatly in the last fewmonths. The British armies have been well trained in desert warfare, and are held to be much better trained than the Italians. There are no German troops in Libya at present, and if any are sent, time will be occupied in training them for desert warfare. The difficulties of the Italian forces in Libya are likely to be increased now that Libya is available as a base. The defences of Gibraltar have been made much more formidable during the last few months.