FIRM ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1942, Page 4

FIRM ACTION

ALGERIAN PERSONAGES INTERNED FOR IMPEDING ALLIED EFFORTS. GENERAL CLARK’S STERN WARNING. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 18. Lieutenant-General Clark announced that a decision had been reached to intern high Algerian personages, after proof had been obtained that they were impeding the Allied efforts in North Africa. The population was warned that any demonstration in connection with the internments would be severely repressed. “The expulsion of the Axis from Africa, and its pursuit on the Continent of Europe, requires an immense massing of men and material in North Africa.” General Clark stated. “This gigantic enterprise cannot be held up by the attitude of men who have sold themselves body and soul to the enemy and who have deliberately placed themselves at the service of Hitler and Mussolini. Any indulgence towards these men would be criminal weakness.” NEARING BENGHAZI EIGHTH ARMY PURSUIT PUNISHING AIR ATTACKS. MUCH ENEMY TRANSPORT WRECKED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, November 18. A Cairo communique states: “The Eighth Army, pursuing the enemy over a wide front, was within 70 miles of Benghazi yesterday. Allied fighters, in a sweep on the Benina Aerodrome, twelve miles from Benghazi, destroyed six enemy transport aircraft in the air and six more grounded aircraft, and damaged one. Allied fighters, in strafing attacks during the past three days, has done tremendous damage to enemy transport in the Jalo-Jedabia area. Over 130 vehicles have been destroyed and many others damaged. Two enemy aircraft have also been destroyed in combat and ten more oil the ground. The Allies in that period lost only three aircraft.”

ACTION SPAIN THE MOBILISATION ORDER DISCUSSED. POSSIBILITY OF GERMAN BLOW. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, November 18. Although only a partial mobilisation has been ordered, Spain had already a large number of men under arms. Spain in the last few years has manufactured much war equipment, but her planes are few and old. The Vichy radio stated that all Spanish officers had been called to the colours. Several days ago German troops occupying Vichy France reached the Spanish border. Allied troops have occupied areas of North Africa adjoining Spanish territory. The “Evening Standards” Madrid correspondent says the mobilisation order was given after a long Cabinet session. The Air Force commander reported to Cabinet that reconnaissance flights had been macie by unidentified planes over the Balearic Islands and certain other outposts. There is no information to indicate that Spam is taking measures in fear of an impending blow from Germany, although that possibility is not ruled out, says the correspondent.