AWAITING THE END

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1941, Page 5

AWAITING THE END

ITALIANS IN BARDIA BRITISH PREPARATIONS CONTINUE. HEAVY CAPTURES OF GUNS. A communique issued by British General Headquarters in Cairo, and transmitted by the 8.8. C., states that the Italian garrison of Bardia shows no sign of activity. British preparations and concentrations continue without interference. On other fronts there is no change in the situation. Guns captured in the extensive Sidi Barrani battle area and in the further British advance now total 329, including 20 heavy and 48 light anti-aircraft guns. It is stated in London that British preparations for a final assault on Bardia arc going steadily forward. Further successful and destructive air raids have been made by the R.A.F, on enemy bases and Bardia was bombed again <>n Wednesday night.

ITALIAN CLAIMS

ALLEGED CAPTURES OF MATERIAL.

(Received This Day, 9. a.mJ

ROME January

A communique states: ’'The Italians captured arms, munitions and trucks which the English abandoned on the battleground of Jarabub. while in the frontier zone of Cyronaica (Libya) artillery and patrols are active: also on the Greek front where there were some operations of a local character." ENEMY POSITIONS EXTENSIVE AREA HELD AT BARDIA. (British Official Wireless.! (Received This Dav. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY. January 2. Discussing the Libyan theatre of war. military circles in London state that preparations round Bardia are .still proceeding. and these include patrol activity to the north and north-west of the town. It is pointed out that the Italian forces are not concentrated within the small area covered by Bardia. but that the heights around the town, for a radius of between 5 and 7 miles, are included in the Italian defensive system. No general attack on the enemy position has yet been started.