ADVANCE OF ITALIANS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21221, 18 September 1940, Page 8

ADVANCE OF ITALIANS

ASSISTED BY GERMANS BRITISH FLIERS ACTIVE (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 17 Using picked motorised units as their spearhead, the Italians have continued to push eastward from Bugbug, on the Mediterranean coast 25 miles inside the Egyptian border, in spite of serious losses, says a message from Cairo. German experts are assisting Marshal Graziani, and many native Libyan units are included in his forces doing consolidation work at Solium. The Italians are following the coastal road, and will have no reason to pause at Bugbug, which at present is depopulated and is without water. A Royal Air Force communique says: “British bombers and fighters are active over Libya and the Western Desert. Fighters destroyed six Italian bombers and probably three more. One British machine has not returned. We successfully attacked a large motor transport column near Bugbug, starting big fires. Bombs hit a motor column east of Bugbug, causing many fires. Italian aeroplanes attacked one of our aerodromes in the Western Desert without causing damage.” British warships are stated | from Rome to be shelling the road between Libya and Egypt. The Cairo correspondent of the Times says it is understood the Egyptian Government views the new situation with equanimity. It is generally accepted that the Egyptian forces have a place in the scheme of defence of Egypt and will play their part when called on. A French unit formed in Egypt from the followers of General de Gaulle is among the troops facing the Italians. It includes professional soldiers, reservists, foreign legionaries and natives from Senegal. Nazi-Fascist Co-operation The Times correspondent on the Italian frontier says it is officially stated from Rome that the Italian offensive against Egypt is timed to . coincide with the German thrust against Britain. ! Despatches from Addis Ababa state that the Italians are advancing across the Egyptian frontier at several points, throwing in regular troops. Blackshirts, mechanised units and also camel corps. The beginning of the offensive is marked by the end of the desert storms which in recent weeks have stirred up the powdery sand, making it impossible to use motorised vehicles and even tanks because of the weight of sand filtering into the engines. British Navy Active Italian pilots report that the British are rushing up naval units from Alexandria and other parts of the Mediterranean, and that the ships have begun shelling the roads lead- j ing to Alexandria along which the I Italians are reported to be fighting j their way. It is further indicated that Marshal Graziani’s push to Egypt will be followed by general activity on the part of the Italian Army in Kenya and also along the border of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. It is also reported from Rome that there is a possibility of “expeditionary action” from the air.