The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-26

During this long period I have get to see e single unit of the Italian fleet, which Mussolini once de- scribed as the most modern in the world.
 Tlae only opposition worthy of the name 1 have seen in this period came from the German air force, and having been in nearly every re cent fleet movement I can testify that it's effect has been negligible.
 Italy Disputes Claims
 Rome, March 26.--(UP) Roberto Farinacci, former Secretary General of the Fascist party, said in the newspaper Tomori of Tirana, AL bania, today that Italian troops in North Africa, supported by Q Ger man expeditionary force, were counter attacking the British army of the Nile. Farinacci, who is Al. bania, hinted that German troops in Bulgaria were preparing to march into Greece.
 "The London dream of conquering Tripolitania in desert blitzkrieg has given way to an unpleasant awakening" he said.
 "Italian soldiers. cooperating with their German brothers, have placed an insurmountable bulwark in front of Wavell's forces and already have started a counter -attack which soon will be crowned with success. (Tyhe reference was to Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell, British supreme commander in the Middle East.)
 The much heralded British block ade of the Mediterranean also has proved to be full of gaps as an Italian convoy succeeded in trans porting supplies and troops to Libya undisturbed.
 with all southeastern European nations adhering to the tri-partite pact, Britain and Greece are com- pletely isolated from the remainder of Europe. To this isolation must be added Matsuoka's visit to Berlin and Rome, which is of great diplomatic importance. (The reference was to Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka, who is due in Berlin to- day)
 "Ihe spring is full of promise for us in fighting on the Greco-Alban- ian frontier and for our German brothers who are lined up on the Greco-Bulgarian border"
 Both Suffer Losses
 Both British and Italian forces are suffering heavy losses in fierce fighting at Keren, in Eritrea, @ high command communique said today.
 It was asserted that Italians had repulsed a new British attempt to force @ passage across the Dabus river in the Galla-Sidamo section of Southern Ethiopia.
 NAZI BOMBERS HIT CONVOY
 Berlin, March 26.-(UP)-The official German news agency D.NB. said today that long.range German reconnaissance bombers had attack ed a convoy in the North Atlantic, presumably today, sinking g. mer- chant ship of 10000 tons with 8 dt- rect hit.
 The agency described the convoy as strongly protected" and said that in addition to the vessel re- ported destroyed merchant ship of 5000 tons had been damaged heav- fly by Q bomb hit 250 miles west of the Hebrides. German planes were Said to have observed this vessel in sinking condition.
 (In London listeners heard radio Berlin assert that the attacked con- voy was protected by five destroyers, two cruisers and six other men O war escorts. London reported that radio Berlin said the attack had oc- cured today)
 German planes destroyed two ves- sels, e high command communique said, one of 2,000 tons east of Clac- ton n-on- Sea and one of 5000 tons at the entrance to Bristol Channel.
 Damaged ships included one of 5000 tons, set afire off Great Yar- mouth, one of 4000 tons, left with a list after Q low level attack north of New Quay, and ship of 5000 tons attacked south of the Faroes.
 The high command said a Ger man bomber successfully bombed" @ gas-works in an industrial city in South England. One British Spit- fire pursuit plane was said to have been shot down of the English south coast.
 DUTCH AROUSED
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