BRITISH POSITION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 7

BRITISH POSITION

WAR IN SOMALILAND RETREAT TO COAST LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlgTit) (Received August 17, 1.30 p.m.) . LONDON, August 16 The position of the British forces in British Somaliland is authoritatively stated to be critical, and it may be necessary to retreat to Berbera. It must be clearly seen that there are limits to the reinforcements that can be sent to British Somaliland in view of other commitments. Operations are still in progress but the news is scarce, taking some time to reach London. The Italian communique says that the Italian offensive operations are in full progress. One enemy plane has been brought down in flames at Zeila. Two enemy air raids on aerodromes at Cobelcia and Massawa caused slight damage, four being killed and 12 wounded among the Italian natives. An Italian air raid on Wajir destroyed two enemy planes on the ground and one British fighter was shot down in combat. MALTA RAIDED ITALIAN CLAIMS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 17, 2 p.m.) ROME, August 16 “Formations of bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed the Kalfar airfield at Malta,” says an Italian communique. Direct hits caused fires. “One enemy formation, which had taken off to intercept our planes, withdrew. One enemy plane was shot down and our planes returned safely. “Italian planes also bombed the Fuka-Mersa-Matruh railway. “British planes, coming from the direction of Switzerland, again raided northern Italy. Various bombs fell among rural communities in the Merate and Olgiate districts. Two were killed and five were injured. “Slight material damage was caused at Turin. Anti-aircraft guns shot down one British plane, which crashed in a field at Ceresoledalla. Some of the crew, totalling five, were dead and the rest were taken prisoner.