MOVE ON MOYALE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1941, Page 5

MOVE ON MOYALE

ITALIANS MAKING STAND

PROSPECTS IN LIBYA.

GRAZIANI MAY ATTEMPT TO HOLD BENGHAZI.

ißy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh LONDON, January 31.

A news bulletin from Nairobi states that British troops are close to British Moyale (on the Kenya frontier of Abyssinia), where the Italians arc making a stand. Our forces were hemmed in at Moyale for some time last summer but succeeded in getting away during one night. British troops are still inside the bordc rof Italian Somaliland, where the enemy do not appear to be putting up much opposition. The "Manchester Guardian" expresses the view that Marshal Graziani may make a stand before Benghazi. The Imperial forces are approaching Benghazi by two roads, one a mile inland from the coast and the other farther inland. It is a land of wheat fields; and olive trees. Graziani must think, the paper adds, ; that if he can hold on to Benghazi, he might one day get reinforcements and attempt to drive the British back. But if he loses Benghazi he must retreat GOO miles to Tripoli. (The "Manchester Guardian's" reference to Graziani presumably means that the paper believes he has not been dismissed as claimed last Monday and again on Tuesday by the Turkish radio, j Thai report has since been neither con-! firmed nor refuted.) R.A.F. OPERATIONS THE ATTACKS ON BARCE. SUCCESSES IN EAST AFRICA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) RUGBY. .January 31. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "R.A.F. activities' have been mainly concentrated on the enemy aerodrome at Barco, which was attacked several times. Aerodromes on the main road between Dorna and Benghazi were heavily bombed and direct hits were observed on hangars and other buildings round the aerodromes. A C.R. 42 was shot down in flames by one of our fighters. "In East Africa, aircraft dived on a bridge on the Mega-Neghelli Road and straddled it with bombs. "In the Moyale area another squadron made dive-bombing attacks on Italian artillery and infantry positions, dropping high explosives and incendiaries. Other aircraft bombed and machine-gunned enemy posts and buildings in Moyale. During a reconnaissance. one of our aircraft, which was attacked by a C 42. drove off the enemy. A fighter dived and machinegunned four planes on an aerodrome. Front all of the operations our planes returned safely, with the exception of j one pilot who is reported missing." i