MASSAWA IN BRITISH HANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1941, Page 5

MASSAWA IN BRITISH HANDS

Announcement by Mr Churchill OUTLOOK IN LIBYAN CAMPAIGN ANTICIPATION OF FIARD FIGHTING Referring' to the situation in Africa, IVTr Churnhill, in his speech in the House of Commons, announced that Massawa, the Italian Red Sea naval base, had fallen, the 8.8. C, reports. In the loss of Benghazi, the Prime Minister continued, Britain had lost the use of impor tant airfields in that area. The movement of German forces to Africa had begun before British troops had captured Benghazi in the recent offensive. Although British submarines had exacted a toll of the convoys proceeding to Africa, the enemy had landed strong armed forces and had made a rapid advance in greater strength than the British commanders had expected in the time. Britain had tanks and reinforcements established in force in the strong fortress of Tobruk. Mr Churchill said that hard and severe fighting in the defence of Cyrenaica and of Egypt could be expected. The early conquest of all Italian forces in East Africa could reasonably be expected and this would give immediate relief to forces elsewhere. The Red Sea was now virtually clear of enemy warships.