THE ITALIAN FLEET

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 7

THE ITALIAN FLEET

WHY IT WAS KEPT BACK FEARS OF MUSSOLINI EFFECT ON PEOPLE’S MORALE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK. Aug. 29 Writing from London, the wellknown diplomatic commentator, Augur (Mr Vladimir Poliakoff) states:—

“ Mussolini kept his fleet inactive when the British Navy bombarded Marshal Graziani’s bases in Libya, near the Egyptian border, although the Italian fleet had earlier set out from Taranto and other bases to engage the British, because he fears the consequences of a naval defeat for his personal regime. “ The news of such a defeat could not be kept secret, and the impression on Italian public opinion would be disastrous to Fascist prestige. Therefore, it must be avoided even at the cost of strategic considerations. “ Mussolini gave orders immobilising the Italian fleet directly on the heels of the order from the Italian Admiralty, which comprehended the danger of leaving the British challenge unanswered and which was prepared to contest the British bombardment of Bardia and Fort Capuzzo, which are now in ruins. Certain units of the Italian fleet even set out to sea. and were recalled. “ Bardia and Fort Capuzzo are hidden deep in a canyon-like cleft on the coastal plateau, and are practically immune from aerial attack. They contained vast, and at present irreplaceable, supplies accumulated for the invasion of Egypt. The enterprise was personally cherished by Mussolini. These supplies are now destroyed, and this enterprise starts with failure because, involved in the effort to defend these supplies, ■was the possibility of a naval defeat, which Mussolini cannot contemplate.”