The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-07

POhId44 OAfAo1OkAo, COlIIEJOSCu O1 1Gdl1dl regulars; two divisions of Fascis Blackshirt militia, 'Mussolini's pride the first and second Libyan divisions men of Italy's carefully trained des ert tribesmen fighters, and Gen. Ma lettfS crack mechanized division that was to lead a march to Suez.
 The 94,000 men eliminated, ac cording to the authorities, were 39, 900 Italian regulars, 24,0oO Fascis mihtiamen 14,000 Libyan troops, 7,00' mechanical troops and 10000 sol diers of the Italian service of supply
 10000 Prisoners
 Of the 94,000, authorities said, TO-, 900 were made prisoner and 24,00i killed, wounded or otherwise put ou of action.
 They intimated that the British took most of the equipment of al the Italian divisions, including tank artillery and anti-aircraft and anti tank guns.
 Today's news made it plain tha the Italians were to be given no rest
 It was understood that the new army moving toward Tobruk was { completely fresh force which hae not taken part in the final phase o. the Bardia attack.
 Reports said that the British com. mand in Egypt had started forming this new army at the moment tht attack was launched on Bardia thret weeks ago, ready to move out for i; full scale attack on Tobruk whi the Italians were still reeling afte Bardia's fall.
 There was nothing to halt the Empire forces between Bardia ano Tobruk. and there was every indi- cation that fast moving British tank units were now within a short dis tance of Tobruk in force.
 It was believed that the adyanct guard of the new army moved ou frcr', e'ae desert Sunday and pnili. tary experts expressed belief that 1t too, might by this time be near To bruk.
 Expect Repeat
 There was growing hope her' that the Empire forces might re- peat at Tobruk the triumph the! had won at Bardia, by encirclins the town and beseiging it by land air and sea until it had been soft ened for a final assault.
 Experts here expressed belief tha though the Tobruk situation wa similar to that at Bardia, the Elm pire forces might find it much easie. to take Tobruk, despite the fact tha Bardia had held out for weeks il order to permit the Italians t. strengthen their Tobruk defenses.
 By striking hard and fast, it wa asserted, the Empire forces had { chance to attack Tobruk before i was fully prepared.
 Experts expressed belief also tha at Tobruk the British might find z far weaker army, numerically, thar that they had defeated at Bardia Some estimated the entire Italian force in the Tobruk area at possibly as few as two divis, ions or about 30,. 900 men. At Bardia, the British hat broken up an army of 75 900 anC taken far more than 30,000 prison. CTS.
 The Royal Air Force end the navy were already blasting at Tobruk and there was belief here that Bri- tons would read within few days that a real attack on that base hac been started.
 Cairo Reports Advance
 Cairo, Jan. ' = (UP0 = The Royal Air Force reported today that the Italians have evacuated El Adem, air base for Tobruk, and that 40 Italian planes blasted by British air attack have been captured by British troops.
 The RAF said that the Italians had evacuated the air base because of the powerful British bombing at- tack and 40 Fascist war planes had been rounded up by Imperial land