Evening star., 1940-12-09
British and Italians Bott|inq
On Broad Front in West Eqypt:
Greeks Press Retreoting Enemy
500 Prisoners Taken
In Engagement, Says
English Command

BACKGROUND
Action bet,Deen Italians and
British in Western Egyptian
desert has been sporadic since
the FnSciSts entered the ,Uar last
June. italian troops haze dripen
about 70 miles into Egyptian
territory, but halted there, con-
tronted With serious difficulties
of supplying their army if they
moued farther.
By the Assoc ated Press.
CAIRO, Egypt, Dec. 9-British
forces have made contact with the
Italians ION a broad front" in the
Western Egyptian desert and have
taken 500 prisoners in an engage
ment south of Sidi Barrani, the
British African command declared
today. This indicated the long
awaited battle of Egypt may have
started, breaking 6 ee-month
stalemate.
This front has long been dormant,
with the British apparently content
to prevent the Italians from driving
further into Egypt from Sidi Bar
rani, 10 miles inside the western
: frontier
The action was described as be-
tween British advance elements
and the Italians.
The Italians, under Marshal Ro-
dolfo GRAHAM, drove across the Lib
yan-Egyptian frontier early in the
Italian British conflict and marched
along the coast to Sidi Barrani
with little opposition. From there
they have made little important
progress for the last three months.
Text of Communique.
The British communique said:
I'm the western desert, advanced
elements of our forces are now in
contact with the enemy on broad
front.
In an engagement south of Sidi
Rarrani we captured 500 prisoners.
The Sudan: Last night our pa
trolls continued extensive activities
in the Gallabat area, while our ar
tillery again successfully engaged
enemy targets.
"Other fronts, nothing to report" :"
British authorities declare they
d are ready for any Fascist offensive
in Egypt if that is what Premier
Mussolini's changes in the Italian
high command mean. (The COM
munique did not indicate which side
was on the offensive, British or
Italian0
So far apparently, Marshal Grazi-
ami has been reluctant to risk an
offensive, with the necessity OF
moving supplies-especially water
over poor road communications,
against Britain's we'll organized
transport system, including a rail-
road to their front lines.
Lack of Power Shown.
Although overwhelmingly superior
to the British in manpower and ma
terial, foreign observers say, the first
months of the war in the Mediter-
ranean have shown Italy lacking any
striking power like Germany's.
Had Mussolini struck at the time
of the French collapse he might
hay had easier going, in their view.
But now, they say, his holding back
has enabled Britain to increase her
strength greatly.
Occupation of the 7o-mile strip
Into Egypt has been the Italians
main achievement in North Africa
go far. They are said to have moved
six divisions into the area, built
roads, a water supply system and
supply bases.
An army of six divisions means
from 72,000 to 10000 men.
I'm London, the Air Ministry
news service reported an R. A. F..
of Italian warplanes at Benina
airdrome in the western desert
and said it believed many were
damaged. One hangar was COM
pletely burned out and fires were
started in three others, it said.
Extensive damage also was re-
ported in a Saturday raid on
SdSlcl DtlllGO, Ilcdl tllC blUdll pol
or Tripoli, and other British air
forces were said to have struck
widely in italian East Africa)
The three month stalemate has
resulted in eagerness for action
among the assembled British, Au-
stralian, New Zealand, Polish and
French soldiers. Greek victories in
Albania have enhanced this spirit.
This is typical comment from
one of the Australians, generally
considered to be the toughest of
Britain's desert troops: I'VE came
1000 miles to fight the Italians and
here we are sitting around for
months doing nothing in the middle
Of the desert"
Fear Troops Will Go Stale.
II the deadlock continues through
the winter there are fears the SOL
diers may "go stale"
On the other hand, since the
British plans in Egypt have been
defensive rather than offensive, and
moving far from supply bases in
(see CAIRO, Page A-130
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