BIG BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 October 1942, Page 3

BIG BATTLE

ABOUT TO START IN NORTH AFRICA ACCORDING TO THE PARIS RADIO. ALLIED CONCENTRATION NEAR LAKE CHAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! LONDON, October 21. The big battle of North Africa is about to start, says the Paris radio. The lull may end at any moment. Both sides are accumulating huge masses of war material fpr the great clash.

The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that some Vichy souces suggest that any Allied attack from West Africa is more likely to be directed against Libya than against Dakar. They assert that forces equalling and probably exceeding the Eighth Army have been concentrated in the regions north of Lake Chad. These consist mainly of Americans and Fighting French, with a powerful air force and a wealth of tanks, guns and tractors. This force is reported to be capable of crossing the 700 miles of desert to the Mediterranean.

Vicin'- military circles assert that the route was reconnoitred when a mobile armoured column recently raided the Benghazi aerodrome. The attack has not yet been launched because it is necessary to build up immense reserves at the bases and also along the lines of march which follow the three main caravan routes. Success for this drive would sweep French North Africa to General De Gaulle and would again give Mediterranean supremacy to the British Navy and be the beginning of an effective second front in the south.