AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1940, Page 5

AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

NO CHANGE REPORTED IN SITUATION POSITION AROUND BARDIA AND ELSEWHERE. COMMUNIQUE FROM CAIRO. The British authorities in Egypt are maintaining silence about operations in the Western Desert, states the 8.8. C. A communique issued from Cairo reports that on all fronts the situation remains unchanged. Other messages agree that there is no change in the position, which means that the British forces around Bardia are steadily being strengthened.

BRITISH LINES STILL ABOUT EIGHT MILES FROM BARDIA. NO ENEMY ATTEMPT TO SEND REINFORCEMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, December 26. The situation round Bardia is unchanged and the British positions are still roughly eight miles from the town except at some points where our lines have advanced a few hundred yards. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says the enemy has not attempted to relieve or support the garrison. The only outside sign of interest in the fate of the beleaguered force is the increased aerial activity by dive-bombers which, operating from 70 miles behind Bardia, swoop down out of the sun against the Empire troops lying unprotected on the open desert round Solium. No German planes have appeared, and no Italian warship has arrived to help the garrison. FIGHTERS. SHOT DOWN ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE'S SUCCESS. OTHER PLANES OVER NAPLES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, December 27. Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force squadron shot down two Italian fighters CR 32’s in the Western Desert yesterday, states a R.A.F. Middle East comunique. Four enemy aircraft were severely damaged by the squadron, but their destruction was not confirmed. A low-level attack was made on December 24 on an enemy landing ground at Gazala, all the bombs falling in the target area. Numerous reconnaissances were made on Christmas Day and fighter patrols were active. During a reconnaissance over Naples our aircraft encountered an Italian bomber SM 79, and shot it down in flames into the sea.