IN THE LIBYAN HILLS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1941, Page 5

IN THE LIBYAN HILLS

CRAGS SCAI.ED & STORMED

AUSTRALIANS NOT TO BE DENIED. — ITALIAN FORT SURPRISED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright* LONDON. February 5. The American United Press correspondent Mr Richard McMilland, says that the pursuit of the retreating Italians in the Libyan hill country progresses with clockwork precision. Forts like Greek temples are attempting to hold up the Australian infantry, but the troops storm the rocky crags with incredible agility and dislodge the Italians. who are streaming back on foot. The British keep biting into the Italian rearguard and the daring peakclimbing exploits by patrols are cutting off the enemy. An example today saw Australians with fixed bayonets and Bren guns perform an alpine-like hike and surround 400 Italians in an isolated fort. The Italians were sitting down to their spaghetti believing that the enemy wore miles away, and when the warwhooping Australians swooped white flags were raised instantaneously. ITALIAN REPORT (British Official Wireless.) < Received This Day. 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY. February 5. An Italian communique reports that on the southern Abyssinian frontier Italian native troops "retired to fortified positions near the border in the vicinity of Lake Stefani."