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THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 24, 1941
Mechanised Units Play Big Part In Libyan Strategy
V.C. FOR Cut Off One Vital GENERALS
JERVIS BAY HERO
An unusual tribute to the unknown heroes, dead and living, of the "Jervis Bay" epic was paid in a supplement to the London Gazette issu- ed last night.
of
After announcing a series awards, including two George Crosses and mine George Medals, the Gazette adds:
"Among those who went down
with the Jervis Bay there must have been many, and among the
survivors others, whose gallantry. were the whole truth known, de- served decoration.
as
an
Defence Post After Another
(By Reuter's Special Correspondent in Tobruk)
IT IS ALMOST impossible to exaggerate the important part played in the Libyan of- fensive by British mechanised units forging ahead and cutting off one vital strong post after another.
From the very beginning these units have hardly stopped moving. A famous tank regi- ment which I visited chased one Italian divi- sion right into Bardia.
In the course of this task they we subjected to formidable Ita- han air attacks. In one day alone hose they had 18 bomber and 15 fighter attacks but latterly such attacks have been entirely absent, owing to the fact that the RA.F. had
"The above appointments and awards should be taken honour to the ship as to who earned them. The "Jervis Bay." was the arm- ed merchant cruiser which was sunk while protecting a convoy of smashed up Italian aerodromes.
38 ships in mid-Atlantic last November
against attack
German raider.
who went down
by a
with the ship.
J was privileged to accom pany a tank squadron on a day- light patrol,
Her commander, Captain Fegg. Climbing up from a deep basin w gradually approached level and made a survey of was posthumously awarded the ground
many miles.
Victoria Cross. - -Reuter.
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The WING ON
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Pole Squatters
As look-out points against un- expected tank sallies, the Italians had established a series of pole squatters and look-out posts around the whole perimeter of the Tebruk defences.
A young officer told me, how- ever, that many of the figures seen on these poles proved to be dummies.
Tank traps also proved formid- able and many booby traps and hidden mines were also discover-
ed-Reuter.
C.N.A.C. PLANS
FOR H.K, LINK WITH INDIA
Members of the China. National Avia- tion Corporation left New Delhi yesterday for Calcutta in their own 'plane via Agra.
Their proposals to link up India with direct air route to Chungking and Hong
under Kong are amination by the Gov- ernment of India. Reuter.
ex-
END OF FASCIST
REGIME
LOOMS NEARER
AND AN ADMIRAL CAPTURED
Up to yesterday even- ing, 20,000 Italian prison- ers had been taken in To- bruk, together with a vast quantity of war material: On the Eritrean front, the Italians were taking: up defence positions 100) miles east of Kassala, which they recently eva- cuated.
The capture of Tobruk was completed on Wednesday night, G.HQ. Cairo reported yesterday evening. So far, over 20.000 pri-. soners have been taken, including: a Corps Commander; a Divisional Commander, two other Generals, an Admiral and several high navy and army staff officers.
Captured
war equipment in- cluded 200 guns of all calibres.
Our own casualties were 1089 than 500, announoca G.H.Q. Cairo,
in
Our troops in Eritrea are contact with the Italian defenes · positions between Bishira and Barentu the communique con- tinues. In Abyssinia, We are maintaining pressure east of Me- temina, while on the Kenya front successful activity by our patrols continues.
11 Divisions Finished:
With the elimination of two further Italian Divisions at To. bruk, no less than 11 Italian Divisions have been rendered Ineffective since we began the "Western Desert" campaign on December 9th, and it is estim ated that at least 100,000, pri- soners have been taken in the course of these actions. Three French units which took part in the battle are now said to have consisted of a detachment from Cyprus, considerably rein-
THE END OF THE Fascist regime is brought yet nearer by the fall of Tobruk, is the theme of London newspaper editorials on the latest success in Libya, which is hailed as another example of General Wavell's mili forced by effectives from Syria tary brilliance.
The. "Daily Telegraph" writes that the whole province of Gyrenaica is imperilled and our sea and air power much enhanced by the grip on Tobruk.
As for the rest of the Fascist Wavell's campaign has had а Empire in Africa, important move far-reaching effect on the grand ments are proceeding swiftly on strategy of the war. It has caus- and beyond the frontiers of Eri-ed Hitler to divert strong forces trea and Abyssinia. It may not of bombers to: Sicily in an attempt be long before Mussolini hears to break our mastery of the Me- the passing hell of his Imperial diterranean. ambitions and rule.
Where, Italy may well ask, were the squadrons of the Luft- waffe which were to change: the fortune of war in the Mediter- ranean?
Fatuous Vanity
Describing Graziani
85
|
it has led to the complete
subservience. of Italy to the Ger. man Dictator.
Saying that the presence of Aus- tralians in Tobruk will be ma- terial for some "imember of "the"
round Fascist thuggery to turn
under General de Larminat.
These French units were also. In the forefront of the attacke on Sidi-Barani and Bardia. The Independent French News that the Free forces in Egypt undert General Catroux are socr to be reinforced.
Agency states French
87 Raids
In A Day
..
at Tobruk
R.A.F. bombers made
and. blame, the Italian people for
"Daily 87 raids on Tobruk during "this lack of resolution," the most: unpugnacious of soldiers, Express" asks "How much long the day which preceded the paper says that the futility of er will Italians swallow the shame his strategy is doubtless not all of their rulers' Incompetence or the launching of the his own but was partly imposed hope for Hitler to save them?"... on him by the: inefficiency, of the Fascist system and the fatuous vanity of Mussolini.
He, has been hopelessly over- matched by the Britian" com mander, General Sir Archibald Wavell.
The History of war records the names of few generals of equal success in that most diffeult
Reuter.
BARTER SYSTEM IN CHINA
of military arts. -- to extract The War Zone Economic Com. the greatest possible advantage. from victory
The swiftness of movement and smashing power of each British blow in this Libyan campaign will long be- examples.
mission is encouraging; the insti- tution of a barter system between provinces produckig salt and red as a measure to regulate the sup- ply of these staples:
army's attack, and this played an important part in the capture of this Libyan port..
From dawn to duska-on that day. R.A.E. bombers were almost icon- tinuously over Tobruk, while during the night Derna and Apol-' lonia, further along; thie coast, were also heavily bombed in order to prevent reinforcements being sent up...
!
Apart from the molat 'affect or
eich bombings the RAF ap parently silenced a number of
guns,
Both Cheklang and Fullen are fighter pilots also had little bartering salt for Klangsi rice. rest, maintaining constant patrols. Arrangements have been;" coin-throughout the oporationis. ploted for exchanging...” another. Despite all this activity ther writer,30,000 bags of Cheitlang salt for RAF lost only three planes in:
Kiangal rice-Central News. ten days.-Router
Grand Strategy Another mall has been hammer ed- into the Bascists.coffin,, the "Daily Mail,".