NO REST FOR ENEMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 5

NO REST FOR ENEMY

BRITISH AIR AND LAND ACTIVITY Additional Thousands of Prisoners Gathered In INCLUDING TWO MORE GENERALS COUNTING STILL FAR FROM COMPLETE British air and land forces are not giving’ a moment s rest to the retreating Italian forces in the Western Desert, a 8.8. C. broadcast states. Late news of the fighting, given in an B.A.F. communique, shows that British bombing formations are carrying out extensive attacks on the whole range of Italian aerodromes, while fighters and bombers simultaneously are keeping up heavy attacks on the retreating enemy army. Several thousands of prisoners have been taken in addition to the 20,000 or more reported yesterday. Among the prisoners are two more generals commanding divisions. All five of the captured Italian generals have now been taken by air to Cairo. IT HAS NOW BECOME CLEAR THAT THE ITALIAN DEFEAT HAS BEEN ON A VERY CONSIDERABLE SCALE. IN LESS THAN A WEEK, FIVE ITALIAN DIVISIONS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ABANDON THE POSITIONS THEY HAVE BEEN BUILDING UP FOR THREE MONTHS. GREAT STORES OF FOOD AND OIL GATHERED IN THE SIDI BARRANI REGION FOR THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST EGYPT HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH ARMY. While some thousands, of additional prisoners have been taken, it is still impossible, on account of the huge area of the battlefield, to give complete oi’ exact figures. Australian and New Zealand soldiers are included in what Mr Churchill has called the Army of the Nile. The Australian Air Force has accounted for seven enemy aircraft and South African and Canadian pilots have also distinguished themselves in air fighting. General R. N. O’Connor is in charge of the present operations. A report on air operations states that a particularly heavy attack was made on Tobruk. Many tons of bombs were dropped on the town and harbour. Fires were started in the town in numerous places and an explosion and fire occurred near petrol dumps. The aerodrome near Tobruk was attacked heavily and hangars were seen to be completely gutted as a result of previous raids. At Bardia, bombs caused a violent explosion in a stores dump and enemy aircraft on the ground were machinegunned and C.R. 42’s were destroyed. Considerable damage was done at other aerodromes attacked. Other aircraft attacked and demoralised enemy troops on the lines of communications. Australian aircraft shot down three enemy fighters. • An enemy bomber was also shot down. Two British bombers and one fighter failed to return to their bases, but it is possible that later news may be received that they are safe. * Reuter’s correspondent at Cairo reports that British airmen saw Italian troops moving out of Bardia towards Tobruk, considerably further west. Pressure on the Italians is being maintained along the Sudan frontier and in East Africa, where one enemy bomber was exploded, two others set on fire and three others extensively damaged. Rebel activity in East Africa, including Abyssinia, is stated to be increasing.