ACTION IN IRAQ

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1941, Page 5

ACTION IN IRAQ

INSURGENT AIR FORCE LARGELY DESTROYED British Women and Children Taken to Safety PROGRESS IN ROUNDING UP ITALIANS IN ABYSSINIA NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH AFRICA LOXDOX. May 9. In Iraq the rebel air force has been put out of action as a fighting' force. Imperial troops are active in areas to which the rebel forces have withdrawn from Habbania. At Basra, the British forces have extended the area under their control. Yesterday an Iraq aerodrome near Bagdad was again successfclly bombed. Four Iraq aircraft were damaged on the ground, three were destroyed by fire and a number of others damaged. Other aircraft were machine-gunned. All the British women and children' in Bagdad have been evacuated to Basra and a great majority have left by sea for India. American Douglas planes have conveyed reinforcements from India to Habbania and have taken away more than 200 women and children. In Abyssinia, the R.A.F., the South African Air Force and Free French units have made highly successful raids on enemy positions. From all operations in the Middle East two British planes failed to return. Land forces continue to make progress. It is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 33,000 Italian troops in Abyssinia still to be rounded up. There is little to report about the fighting in North Africa. At Tobruk a severe sandstorm is holding up operations, and at Solium British mechanised forces continue their vigorous raids. A small formation of enemy bombers attacked Malta today in bad weather. Two were destroyed by British fighters and a third was probably shot down.

COMING ATTACKS

PREPARATIONS BY NAZIS IN MIDDLE EAST PARACHUTE & AIR-BORNE TROOPS. RAPID EXPANSION OF BRITISH FORCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! LONDON. May 8. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Express" says that firsthand information has indicated that the Germans are gathering parachute troops and air-borne troops in the Middle East for attacks on Crete, the Western Desert, Syria and Iraq, and that Sicily, Benghazi, Athens, Rhodes and the recently-seized Greek islands are being used as bases. Large numbers of Junkers are being assembled, each of them capable of carrying 30 men and equipped with extra parachutes for supplies, the correspondent says. These men carry more hand grenades and ammunition than the ordinary infantry, but they are distinct from the air-borne Jrcops which carry petrol pumps, motor-cycles, and small armoured vehicles. The Germans are reported to have begun an intense campaign of reequipping the armies in Greece, Bulgaria and Rumania, and are also concentrating the air-borne contingents. Some of these have already been employed in carrying supplies to Tobruk from Benghazi. The Italians and Germans are also building up their forces in the islands of Rhodes and Leros, for which reason an attack on Crete may be expected soon. In the meantime, General Wavell, Admiral Cunningham and Air Chief Marshal Longmore are building up their forces. It is estimated that the forces in Palestine and Crete are twice as strong as they were a fortnight ago. PRESSURE ON VICHY. It is reported that Germany is exerting pressure on Vichy for permission to land troops in Syria. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Mail" says there 'is definite information that the Iraq insurgent leader. Rashid Ali. has been negotiating with Uermany, with the Italian Minister to Bagdad. Signor Bagrielli. as intermediary. Germany definitely promised a quantity of planes and big stores of ammunition by May 2, after which Rashid Ali repeatedly protested to Germany about their non-arrival. The Iraqui insurgents feel they are in a desperate plight and can be saved only by last-minute help by the Axis, and it is believed this situation has induced Germany's demands regarding Syria. According to Swiss reports, Germany has demanded permission to land forces in Syria for drives not only into Iraq but also on the Iranian oilfield.-, and on Suez. Germany is also reported to have threatened to land parachute troops on the Syrian coast, and to have declared: "If landings are resisted Syria will be considered to have taken up arms against. Germany."

ENEMY AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN AT TOBRUK. LONDON. May 9. There have been no further enemy land attacks al Tobruk. Some German aircraft have been shot down. BENGHAZI SHELLED NAVAL CO-OPERATION WITH AIR FORCE. LONDON. May 9. Today's Italian communique states that on Wednesday night British naval forces bombarded Benghazi in cooperation with Ute air force. The communique also says that Italian aircraft made a heavy attack on a British convoy in the Western Mediterranean.! ■ ' "" Such of Ihe cable news on this page as is so headed has appeared in “The Tinies.” and is cabled to Australia and New Zealand by special permission. It. should be understood that the opinions are not those of “The Times" unless expressly stated to be so.

RASHID ALI

FLIGHT FROM BAGDAD REPORTED. NO CONFIRMATION IN LONDON. LONDON, May 9. Yesterday's British Middle East communique says that heavy bombing attacks were made on the Bagdad aerodrome and on other airports occupied by the rebels. An Iraqui statement said that this was followed by bombing’ raids on military objectives in Bagdad, including the railway station, but this is not confirmed in London. An agency report from Cairo quoted an Egyptian Press statement that Rashid Ali has left Bagdad after a public demonstration against his Government. This is not confirmed in London. The Jerusalem correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph" says that Empire patrols are now crossing the Transjordan frontier into Iraq without opposition. An Iraqui communique states: "As a result of an enemy surprise action at Habbania our troops were compelled to, take up new positions, but immediately have been counter-attacking." A Cairo message says that Tewfik Suweicli Bey. who was Prime Minister in the former Iraq Government, is reported to have gone to Amman from Bagdad to meet the deposed Regent, . who is returning to restore the legal Government. EXILED MUFTI IN ALLIANCE WITH RASHID ALL . LONDON. May 9. It is reported that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, the Arab nationalist leader who is in exile from Palestine, has allied himself with Rashid Ali. In" a proclamation he said: "The hour is critical, but the chance is here." LAND CAMPAIGNS SANDSTORM IN LIBYA OPERATIONS HAMPERED. SUCCESSES IN IRAQ. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY. May 9. A Middle East communique from British headquarters at Cairo states: "At Tobruk the situation is unchanged. Operations have again been hampered. Ly a severe sandstorm. In the Solium area, our mechanised forces have continued vigorous raiding activities. "Operations in all areas of Abyssinia are proceeding well. "In Iraq our troops have occupied a plateau overlooking Habbania, while salvage operations in the area are continuing. In addition to the guns reported in yesterday's communique its captured, quantities of Iraqui war material of all descriptions have been brought in. Meanwhile remnants of the dissident elements of the Iraq Army which attacked Habbania. have withdrawn to Ramacle and Falljuja. Our patrols have been active towards both these places. The Basra area is all quiet."