NAVY’S PART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1941, Page 5

NAVY’S PART

WORK ON THE LIBYAN COAST SILENT BUT IMPORTANT. PROGRESS IN SOMALILAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association- Copy right .1 LONDON, February 21. This morning's reports from Africa indicate that while the main fighting is in Italian Somaliland, ships of the Mediterranean Fleet are continuing their silent but important work along the Libyan coast. According to a Reuter's correspondent. ihe measures taken by the Fleet have been responsible for counteracting the efforts of German aircraft to disrupt British coastal traffic. A steady stream of traffic is being kept, moving and Italian lighters have proved most useful to our forces in clearing the harbours for our use. German aircraft have been making repeated raids in an attempt to interfere with this work. When Reuter’s correspondent visited Benghazi, tin- port was having its third attack in 12 hours. On each night British warships stayed there Gernum aircraft attacked. One was shot down into the sea by Australian lighter aircraft. ACTION AT KUFRA. In the K’.ifra Oasis district in southern Libya it is reported that the Free French f..-nws openiting against the Italians have continued their sharp action of a few days ago. The Italian garrison made a sortie from their positions and sharp lighting ensued. After) a battle lasting three hours the Italians retreated, leaving much war material) behind. Prisoners were also taken b> ’ the Free French forces. !

A striking order of the day was issued to the East African Imperial : Forces on the eve of the present bper- ! aliens, which have now resulted in the wresting of Jubaland from the Italians.' In this order of the day, Lieuienanti General A. G. Cunningham. G.0.C., I said: "Hit them, hit them hard, and i hit them again." Lieutenant-General ■ Cunningham is a brother of Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, who commands the Mediterranean Fleet. Wishing good luck to the South African and West African troops. General Cunningham told them that they had the chance of emulating the achievement of the Imperial troops in North Africa. Proof that they have done so is given in today's communique from Cairo, which says that the troops have .successfully crossed the River Juba, driving off enemy counter-attacks, Mega, a southern Abyssinian town, the capture of which by South African troops has been announced, is a fairsized town. 6500 foot above sea level, and 30 miles inside the Abyssinian border. It has an important road capable of carrying motor transport. The road leads south-east toward Moyale and northward to Addis Ababa. JARABUB WELL WATCHED. A Rome broadcast says that the Italian soldiers at Jarabub continue to put up a stubborn resistance. What form the resistance takes is not known, for military circles here are well aware that the garrison has been pursuing the usual Italian tactics m Libya The British operations for months past. it is punned out, have consisted of just watching the Axis force and preventing it from either being relieved or escaping. The British troops have not attacked Jarabub, for. Indeed, this does, not appear as yet necessary. The boredom and feeling of having been abandoned by their Government are the mam dangers that the garrison at Jarabub have had to face so far.