HAVOC IN TRIPOLI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1942, Page 4

HAVOC IN TRIPOLI

EXPLOSIONS AND BLAZE IN BIG MOTOR TRANSPORT DEPOT. SPLENDID WORK BY BRITISH BOMBERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, February 6. “A successful air attack on the motor transport park at Tripoli, early on Thursday morhirtg, did considerable damage, fires being followed by numerous heavy explosioris,” states the Air Ministry. “The depot, which lies east of the harbour, is nearly half a mile square and Contains workshops, stores, buildings and yards for parking cars and lorries. The first aircraft started a large fire in a long stores building on the north side. During this phase of the attack three more fires broke out. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped into the main fire, and a pilot counted six vivid explosions. Afterwards other bombers started two more large fires in the north-west corner of the depot. Eventually these fires joined together, and as more bombs were dropped they burned fiercely. Pilots who arrived later said the fires had spread to the centre of the depot and columns of black smoke were rising several hundred feet into the air. The fires were visible for more than sixty miles away.” LAND FORCES MAIN BODIES NOT YET ENGAGED. ANTICIPATIONS IN BERLIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) LONDON, February 6. It is authoritatively announced that the main forces have not yet been engaged in Libya, although there is considerable patrol activity on both sides. An Italian communique claims that Axis forces have occupied Tmimi. The Stockholm “Tidningen’s” Berlin correspondent says: “It is believed here that General Rommel is now strong enough to drive through to Egypt and even as far as Alexandria. His large reinforcements are explained by the ( presence of strong forces of U-boats in the Mediterranean, which have forced the British Navy on the defensive. Military authorities believe that Gen- ■ oral Auchinleck is unable to get reinforcements at present. VICHY HELP FOR AXIS FORCES IN LIBYA. LONDON ACCEPTS REPORTS AS ACCURATE. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) * RUGBY, February 6. It is stated in authoritative quarters in London that there is every reason to accept the accuracy of reports that Vichy is now a party to the supply of the enemy army in Libya. Vichy is sending supplies to Tunis, ostensibly for the French Army, to replace material surrendered under the French and German armistice, but these never reach nor have been intended to reach the French Army. They are dispatched instead from Tunisia for the relief and assistance of the Germans in Libya. The enemy supply lines across the Mediterranean are extremely difficult to interrupt. The sea passage is short and can practically be completed under the cover of darkness. In any case, transports and supply ships sail under a formidable aircraft screen provided by enemy machines based on Sicily. ,