HEAVY TOLL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1941, Page 5

HEAVY TOLL

TAKEN OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT IN LIBYA AND EAST AFRICA. SUPPOSED GERMAN LOSSES. In the Benghazi area, a 8.8. C. broadcast states, 14 enemy planes, believed to be German, were destroyed in one day alone and on another day four .were destroyed. There were no British losses. British and Australian planes, covering the concentration of British troops in new position in Libya have pounded away at the enemy for the past week without a break. South African planes, in a recent attack on.Dessie, also took a heavy toll of enemy aircraft in Abyssinia. Ten were destroyed and two others heavily damaged. DISORDERLY ROUT DISINTEGRATION OF ITALIAN FORCES. LONDON, April 7. The Italian withdrawal from various

points in East Africa can be describee as one of the most disorderly in military history. The remnants of the Italian army which defended Eritrea are disintegrating rapidly. The prisoners included General Court, who has served for 20 years in Eritrea. SOUTH AFRICA PROUD MESSAGE FROM GENERAL SMUTS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 7. The South African Prime Minister, General Smuts, has sent a message to Lieutenant-General Cunningham conveying his warmest congratulations “on your occupation of the enemy’s capital, reflecting dual credit on your valiant leadership and the valour and endurance of your troops. South Africa feels specially proud of an achievement- in which her sons had so great a share.” DERNA CHANGES HANDS ACCORDING TO ITALIAN REPORT. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. April 8. It is officially announced in Rome that the Italians and Germans have reoccupied Derna.