270,000 ITALIANS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 8

270,000 ITALIANS

OX THE LIBYAN FRONT REINFORCEMENTS FOR BRITISH (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-htj (Received August 15, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 14 The military position on the Lib-yan-Egyptian front is that the Italian concentration of about 270,000 v/hite troops and native levies in the Tripoli area is now complete, says Reuters’ military correspondents. The weather conditions make offensive action on a large scale unlikely for another month. This period is not so valuable to General Wavell as might be supposed, because he must use the Cape route for reinforcements and supplies from Britain, though both are readily available from India, with which communication is not interrupted. Shelled by Warships An Admiralty communique states: British light naval forces yesterday bombarded an Italian troop concentration near the British Somaliland coast. The target was indicated to the ship by Blenheim aircraft. The Italian concentration of troops and mechanised transport was dispersed by the bombardment and it has been reported that this has held up the enemy advance towards Bulhar, between Zeila and Berbera.

Port Berbera was again raided by enemy aircraft in the early hours of Monday, but no damage or casualties were caused.