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Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1942, Page 3

BACK TO JEDABAYA

AXIS FORCES IN LIBYA DEVASTATING R.A.F. ATTACK. BIG ENEMY CONVOY SMASHED & SCATTERED. LONDON, January 23. General Koinniel’s forces in Libya have advanced 75 miles east of El Aglieila and have reoccupied Jedabaya. They are not yet in contact with the main Imperial .forces, which are concentrated east of Jedabaya. At Jedabaya the enemy is being attacked heavily by the R.A.F. An onslaught was made on 400 enemy transport vehicles, ’packed like sardines. Direct hits were scored and fire started. This huge convoy was smashed and scattered. Australian Kittihawk fighters attacked a formation of German divebombers and shot down three and damaged others, including fighters. HUGE MATERIAL LOSS SUFFERED BY THE ENEMY AT BARDIA. LONDON. January 23. The British Minister of State in the Middle East, Captain Oliver Lyttelton has returned to Cairo after a tour of captured enemy territory. He said that the amount of enemy material which had been taken, particularly at Bardia, was striking. - Bardia. which was to have been used as a base for attack on Egypt, was a huge arsenal, the loss of which would be serious for the enemy.

Captain Lyttelton said he was horrified by the treatment given British prisoners at Bardia, where 1150 men had been kept without cover and short of rations in an area of about an acre.