READY FOR- ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1941, Page 6

READY FOR- ACTION

EMPIRE MIDDLE EAST ARMIES HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS. INTENSIVE PREPARATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) CAIRO, November 2. While the past month has been a quiet period on the widely-spaced land front in the Middle East, it has not been an idle one. ,The imperial armies in Syria, Iran, Iraq, the Western Desert and Egypt have been unremittingly preparing for whatever may be required of them. I A steady flow of reinforcements and supplies into the Middle East has brought the British forces to a pitch of preparedness which seemed impossible six months ago, and the future can be faced with sober confidence.; Today Britain presents, in the Middle East, a solid block to any Axis thrust and is in a position, if necessary, to take the initiative. In the Western Desert the Army of the Nile, which halted the German drive to Suez on the Egyptian frontier, has received considerable reinforcements of men and material. This army, composed of British regulars who are veterans of Desert warfare, New Zealanders, South Africans and Indians, is a formidable force for whatever purpose the High Command elects to use it. The R.A.F. has been greatly strengthened by reinforcements of Dominions personnel and American machines. The Navy and Air Force have been carrying out an unremitting blitz on Axis convoys and lines of communication. There can. be no ignoring of the fact that supplies are reaching the Axis forces in North Africa, but instead of the steady stream General Rommel requires, he is only getting a trickle.