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MADE BY IMPERIAL TROOPS BEYOND DERNA

Continued Progress in African Theatres PURSUIT OF THE ITALIANS IN ERITREA ACTIVE CO-OPERATION BY ROYAL AIR FORCE The latest communique from British General Headquarters in Cairo, transmitted by the 8.8. C., states: "In Libya, the British advance westward continues. Forward elements of the British troops on Monday entered Gyrene (50 miles beyond Derna). “In Eritrea the Italian retreat from Agordat continues and British troops are nearing Keren. At Barentu, British troops are pursuing’ the enemy in a south-easterly direction. Although an actual count of prisoners has not yet been taken, the number captured is considerable. “In Abyssinia, eastward of Gallabat, the British advance continues.’’ Correspondents in Libya, reporting the capture of Cyrene, state that most of the British advance units are believed to have pressed in beyond Cyrene, which lieh at the junction of two roads. A communique from Royal Air Force Headquarters in the Middle East states that bomber and fighter aircraft continue to attack the enemy lines of communication on all fronts. In Libya, British bombers raided Berka aerodrome at Benghazi and droppel bombs on aircraft dispersed on the ground. Big fires were started. At Barce the railway station was heavily attacked and motor transport vehicles were destroyed on the road. At a place ten miles east of Barce, six separate attacks were made on troops withdrawing along the road and severe casualties were inflicted. Between 20 and 30 motor vehicles were destroyed on the road. At a place ten miles east of Barce six separate attacks were made on troops withdrawing along the road and severe casualties were inflicted. Between 20 and 30 motor vehicles were also destroyed.

In support of the Army’s successful advance in Eritrea, aircraft continue to attack the enemy. An Italian plane was destroyed and at Gura damage was done to aerodrome buildings. From all these operations one British plane failed to return. A Nairobi communique states that six Italian aircraft were destroyed by machines of the South African Air Force in attacks on aerodromes in Italian Somaliland. One of the enemy planes was destroyed on Sunday and the other five on the following day. All the South African machines returned safely. British troops have now penetrated 40 or 50 miles into Abyssinia and are in direct contact with the Abyssinian patriots, so that these can now be reinforced at will. THE ATTACK ON AGORDAT The attack on Agordat was carried out by Indian troops and a famous Highland regiment. Seven hundred Italians were killed and many prisoners were taken. The Highlanders moved round to the front of Agordat and lay for a whole day in the sun, facing a ridge held by the enemy. The Highlanders took the ridge at night. The next range of enemy defences was taken by British troops, including an armoured force. Indian troops then captured two hills at the point of the bayonet and the Italian garrison of Agordat escaped. A British officer going into Agordat found the telephone exchange intact. An Italian operator at Barentu was trying to get Agordat and was unpleasantly surprised when he was answered in English.

It is announced that Belgian troops from Leopoldville, in the Belgian Congo, are leaving for the front in Africa.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19410205.2.37.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1941, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
539

MADE BY IMPERIAL TROOPS BEYOND DERNA Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1941, Page 5

MADE BY IMPERIAL TROOPS BEYOND DERNA Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1941, Page 5

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