FIGHTING IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1942, Page 3

FIGHTING IN LIBYA

PATROLS & MOBILE COLUMNS ACTIVE CONSIDERABLE AIR OPERATIONS. COMMUNICATION LINES ATTACKED. LONDON, February 5. In Libya ov-and mobile columns were active yesterday along the entire front. Fighter aircraft continued offensive sweeps over our forward troops. Bombers were active in an area 40 miles east of Derna, and during the previous night raided enemy communications in Africa and in Sicily. From these and other operations eight of our planes are missing. CYRENAICA LOST SITUATION REPORTED TO BE GRAVE. RETREAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) y LONDON, February 4. The whole green fertile belt of Cyrenaica must now be regarded as lost, and there is little likelihood of an immediate cessation of our retirement, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent. The situation remains distinctly grave, and there is no room for complacency. . The enemy in less than a fortnight has advanced about 350 miles, recoveiing excellent airfields at Benina, Barce, Derna and elsewhere, and has captured considerable stocks of supplies which the British were gathering for an offensive against Agheila. Though the retreat is bitterly disappointing, it has apparently been carried out without exceptionally heavy losses of personnel. The enemy, however, has not made an appreciable advance eastward or northwestward from Msus. Actually, the first British armoured division and Brigade of Guards and mobile columns are continuing the offensive in this area. The gallantry of British, Dominion and Indian troops is unquestionable. Nobody feels that the men in the field are culpable for what has occurred. Cairo circles acutely feel the loss of the hard-won gains, especially because of the political repercussions.