THE DESERT CAMPAIGN.
THOUGH anxiety must, be felt as to price in gallant lives entailed, the great victory that has been won in the Egyptian Western Desert—a victory shown in today s news to be extending apace—will awaken pride and strengthen confitlence in the countries of the British Empire and in all libertyloving lands. The full scale and effect ol the operations have yet to be made clear, but already it is manifest that the head and front of the Italian organisation lor the invasion ot Egypt has been spiashed. Thanks to the valour, skill and endurance of the Imperial land forces, which include New Zealandeis, and the magnificent co-operation of the Royal Navy and Ail hoice, the advance organisation which the Italian armies commanded by Marshal Graziani had built up laboriously during the last three months has been destroyed in the course of a few clays. As information stands at time of writing, an extraordinary feat of surprise and an attack in all respects admirably organised and driven home is to be credited to the land forces. The Royal Air Force not only took its full part in the battle, but in its preceding attacks on enemy aerodromes throughout Libya as well as in Egypt is credited with having blinded the Italian armies, by making air reconnaissance impossible, on the eve of the encircling’ attack in which the Imperial land forces drove / their way to the coast. Naval aid in the bombardment of enemy positions and communications also has been and no doubt will continue to be highly effective. The co-ordination of the work of the three 'fighting services appears to have been altogether admirable. On the facts in sight, the principal question raised concerns the extent to which the disaster suffered by the Italians is likely to be extended and enlarged. Even from the most promising opening move, problems are entailed in following a retreating enemy along bad and difficult communications, and an immediate and swift pursuit is not necessarily to be taken for granted. After the demonstration that has been given of the quality of the fighting forces of the Empire and of the ability with which they are commanded and directed, it cannot be doubted, however, that the most will be made of every good and reasonable opportunity of building upon the signal victory already won in the Western Desert.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 4
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394THE DESERT CAMPAIGN. Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 4
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