OPPORTUNITY SEIZED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1941, Page 6

OPPORTUNITY SEIZED

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES IN LIBYA DECLINE IN ENEMY MORALE. DISCLOSED IN CAPTURED DOCUMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright( (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON. July 22. “Taking advantage of the Luftwaffe’s preoccupation in Russia, the R.A.F. Middle East command is ordering ever heavier attacks on Benghazi and other strategic targets in Libya,” reports the Associated Press of Great Britain’s Western Desert correspondent. “The R.A.F. is keeping the backdoor of Benghazi closed, and the Italians are forced to bring war materials for their armies and air force on the Libya front nearly 1,060 miles from Tripoli, because Sirte, the only port between Tripoli and Benghazi, accommodates only the smallest coasters. Documents captured show that the morale of the Luftwaffe squadrons remaining in Libya is suffering under the strain of difficult conditions. Letters accuse the Italian generals of expecting too much from the Air Force. Air losses in Libya are ascribed to unexpected technical difficulties developing from desert flying and the British use of a special bomb scattering small splinters over an area of 500 yards. Engines stop and, as there are no repair depots in Libya, the planes may not function again after standing in dust storms, waiting for spares and overhaul.”