BRITISH CONFIDENT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 5

BRITISH CONFIDENT

AWAITING FULL IMPACT NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) LONDON, August 8 Heavily outnumbered because of the defection of the French, the British troops in the Middle East are confidently awaiting the full impact of the Italian advance in British Somaliland and a possible onslaught upon Egypt. Estimates of the Italian strength in Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland range from 35,000 to 100,000 white troops and 100,000 or more native troops. Italy’s Libyan forces are reported to comprise 250,000 white and native troops, with a numerical superiority in aeroplanes. But the road to Cairo and the riches of Egypt is barred by a smaller but highly efficient British force consisting of British, Australian, New Zealand and African troops. Italian Battleships Attacked The bitterest air battle of the war in East Africa was fought out yesterday over Italy’s chief oversea war base, Massaw’a, on the Red Sea coast, says the Daily Express. Flights of British bombers attacked squadrons of Italian ships which Mussolini has concentrated at Massawa in an attempt to smash the Red Sea route to Egypt. The British aircraft also bombed anti-aircraft batteries, during which they encountered strong formations of enemy fighters. No British aeroplanes were lost.

Two major ammunition and petrol dumps at Massawa were severely damaged. A series of hits was made on a dockyard, where three Italian submarines, one cruiser, two destroyers and a number of supply vessels were caught unawares. Fratitic Call From Ship One big vessel which was leaving the wharves suddenly veered to escape bombs. The warships frantically called their crews on board and started zigzagging to the open sea. One of the British machines was hit by sharpnel and fell back, upon which three Italian fighters attacked it, but other British pilots drove them off. A series of furious combats followed, but the British pilots emerged without loss. The Royal Air Force has carried out continuous raids since Monday and has made 20 attacks on Italian docks, hangars, workshops and troop concentrations. Over 50 tons of high-explosive and incendiary bombs have been dropped and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been fired into military camps. The arrival of new British bombers on this front has been a shattering surprise to the Italians. Submarine Hit It was announced this morning that a successful attack has been made fciy the Royal Air Force on the Italian submarine base at Massawa. Dircet hits were obtained on a submarine, another naval vessel, and on the quay. All the British machines returned safely. There was considerable activity, on all fronts yesterday, and valuable reconnaissance flights were made. At Bardia shipping in the harbour was attacked and a large building was hit. A British flying-boat was brought down at Torbruk. One airman was killed and the rest of the crew, three of whom were wounded, were made j prisoner.