HEAVY FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1940, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING

ALONG LIBYAN FRONTIER SOLLUM “BOTTLENECK" BOMBARDED. TERRIFIC PRESSURE KEPT UP (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, December 15. Heavy fighting is in progress near and along the Libyan frontier fortifications as the Italians strive to arrest the British advance. The Solium “bottleneck.” the single road over a high escarpment which the retreating Italians must cross on their way back to Libya, is reported to be under constant British artillery fire, while the R.A.F. is continually bombing this vital road. It is expected that if the Italians fail to halt the British advance sooner, # they will try to make a stand at Bar- ’ dia, the first important town inside Libya. Already a considerable number of men have been seen leaving Badia for Tobruk, farther into Libya, but it must be expected that the enemy will do their best to stop the British at Bardia. London commentators say that 't rnay not be possible for the British thrust to maintain the hectic pace of its early stages, though there is as yet nd’ sign of any relaxation of the terrific pressure being exerted. Unofficial reports are new saying that the number of prisoners taken is probably 30,000, though the last official estimate placed the figure at 26,000. To relieve the.strain on the army organisation, British warships are helping to take some of the captives back to places far behind the lines. Latest advices also reveal that the Italians are trying hard to stem the rout on and near the Libyan border.

SMALL PART AS YET NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS. LONDON. December 13. It is announced that Australian and New Zealand troops did not take a prominent part in the advance, and a message from general headquarters in Cairo says that the only Anzac troops which have participated in the offensive up to the present are transport and signal personnel.