CONQUEST OF CYRENAICA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1941, Page 5

CONQUEST OF CYRENAICA

SWIFT BRITISH ADVANCE SOUTH OF BENGHAZI Thousands of Prisoners Captured INCLUDING NUMBER OF GENERALS GOOD PROGRESS IN OTHER AFRICAN THEATRES X Advanced elements of British armoured forces, a 8.8. C. broadcast states have reached a coastal town 140 miles south of Benghazi. Yesterday’s communique from British General Headquarters in Cairo stated that five senior generals and many thousands of prisoners were captured in Benghazi, in addition to the army corps commanders mentioned in an earlier report. It is confirmed in London that the Italian commanders in Libya include General Berganzoli Marshal Graziani’s righthand man. He was in command at Bardia, but escaped when Imperial troops took that town. In Eritrea the pursuit of the enemy forces continues. The troops closing in on Keren have been reinforced. In Abyssinia the R.A.F. has destroyed another eight Italian planes on the ground. In repeated air attacks in the region of Laka Tana, considerable damage was done to enemy motor transport, troops and gun emplacements. From all these operations one of the British aircraft is missing. The enemy dropped a number of bombs on Malta on Friday night. There were no R.A.F. casualties or damage. A British plane reported missing on February 3 has returned to its base. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, is at present in the Western Desert, visiting the forward positions of the Australian Expeditionary Force. Mr. Menzies is accompanied by General Sir Thomas Blarney, commander of the Australian forcts overseas. Previously Mr. Menzies, accompanied by Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, visited Australian naval units at Alexandria. On Saturday night General Sir A. Wavell gave a reception in honour of Mr. Menzies. Those present included the Egyptian Prime Minister and the British Ambassador, Sir Miles Lampson.