AXIS INVASION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1942, Page 3

AXIS INVASION

I ■ OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL REGARDED AS POSSIBLE. VIEWS OF AIR EXPERT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright! LONDON. November 11. Suggesting that an Axis countermove might involve Portugal and Spain, Major Seversky, the aviation expert, writing in New York, points out that the southern coast of Spain lies directly across the position of the United Nations forces, and therefore the establishment of Axis air bases in Spain would mean a life-and-death contest for control of the sky in this area. Until the Allies establish clearcut air mastery, the westernmost Mediterranean would be untenable for our fleets. Furthermore, an all-out attack against Gibraltar would be on the cards and though unsuccessful it could eliminate the use of the “Rock” as a naval station, thus cutting off the Allies from supplies and reinforcements by sea and compelling them to rely almost exclusively on the very difficult overland routes.

Should the Axis violate Spanish neutrality the centre of gravity would immediately shift to Spain. An Allied flanking movement from the Atlantic side of Spain might develop, but that could hardly be made without involving Portugal. An unknown factor in the whole situation, Major Seversky says, is the strength of Hitler’s air force. The campaigns in Egypt and Russia and the British bombardment of German plants have probably seriously depleted the Luftwaffe, but on the other hand it is possible that the German High Command has maintained powerful air reserves for the long-expected Allied offensive.

TASK WELL IN HAND

ADVANCE OF THE EIGHTH ARMY METHODICAL & UNHURRIED. DESTRUCTION OF AXIS BOMBERS. LONDON, November 11. The Eighth Army is continuing its campaign in the same methodical, unhurried, and thorough manner which has distinguished its tactics from the start. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says that nothing is being left to chance. Rommel is so obviously and thoroughly beaten that it is not worth while throwing away men and materials which doubtless will be extremely useful a little later. There are at present imposing forces moving up to the frontier behind the more forward units, and the desert from Mersa Matruh to Sidi Barrani is already dotted with clusters of vehicles as the various headquarters and other sections establish nightly camps. There has been neither sight nor sound of Axis planes in the past four days. “The Allies today had penetrated beyond the spot from which General Wavell started his triumphant drive less than two years ago. This time we have the same distance to cover, but the main part of the task has been completed—the enemy is beaten and cut to shreds," the correspondent says. Twenty-two enemy aircraft, including 11 Junkers 87s, were destroyed in daylight yesterday, says Reuter’s correspondent with the Eighth Army. The Junkers were brilliantly intercepted by South African airmen while attempting to dive-bomb our advancing land forCCS. Withdrawing Axis transport columns in the Capuzzo, Solium and Bardia areas were targets of the R.A.F. on Monday night. Twenty fires were started among some 300 vehicles in the Capuzzo area, according to a correspondent, and a further 100 vehicles near Solium also received direct hits. During yesterday enemy transport columns near Bardia which were moving westward, were attacked, and again all day the retreating enemy was bombed.