Evening star., 1942-06-30
Motruh-und Beyond

Inc dDandOnment OF MerSa Matruh
eight days after the storming Of
Tobruk reveals only too clearly the
terrific power behind Marshal Rom
melS latest drive. MerSa Matruh was
the main British base in the border
region OF Western Egypt. 1t is the
only spot between Tobruk and Alex
andria with an abundant water sup
ply. Thus, one Of Rommels chief
transportation difficulties has been
solved. Besides, 1t has small harbor
usable for light craft such as the
Axis is repeatedly employing for
running in supplies from Crete, less
than 400 miles to the northward
across the Mediterranean.
This small town, with its perennial
springs giving life to a seaside oasis,
has been a trading center since an
cient times; the starting point of
caravan routes to the inland oases
and across the further desert. Alex
ander the Great stopped there before
tourneying to visit the celebrated
oracle Of Jupiter Ammon in the silva
Oasis, and Cleopatra took Mark An
tony thither for secluded holiday.
It's ancient prosperity revived with
the coming of the railroad and motor
highway from Alexandria, which
made Mersa Matruh the western
bulwark Of Pritish military power.
1t is probable that MerSa Matruh
had been fortified, but no attempt
was made to hold it, as shown by the
fact that the Axis claims the capture
Of only 5000 prisoners. This means
that the British fought merely de-
laying action, the bulk Of their Eighth
Army retiring to avoid enlightenment.
But this, in turn, reveals British in
ability to hold the 70-mile defense
line between Mersa Matruh and the
edge Of the Qattara Depression.
Cairo intimates that another de-
Tense line exists about IS miles
farther east, where the Qattara
Depression comes within so miles
of the coast But this may not
be more than a last-minute i'm
provisation. The topographic map
shows no natural line of defense
short Of the Nile. which lies well
east Of Alexandria, Britain's great
naval base and Egypt's port metrop-
oils. Unless the British can meet and
defeat the Axis army in open battle
somewhere west Of Alexandria, the
outlook is dark indeed.
Heavy reinforcements are said to
be on the way from Palestine and
Syria. 1t is to be hoped that they
include plenty Of tanks and mobile
artillery. Mere masses of infantry
will be Of small avail, since in desert
warfare the tank has proved to be
the queen Of battles. In the air, the
British seem to be on more even
terms, but the Axis has numerous
air fields in nearby Crete and the
Dodecanese, while from those same
air bases clouds Of paratroops can
also be sent at the right moment
While black pessimism is out Of
place, irrational optimism is equally
unwarranted. The hard fact must be
faced that Britain's Eighth Army has
suffered a series Of bad defeats and
seems at present in no condition to
meet the axis invaders in a stand-up
fight. Although the British are still
some $50 miles west of Alexandria,
distance in the desert means little, by
itself. In eight days Rommel has
covered the 230 miles from Tobruk to
his present outposts east of captured
Mersa Matruh. Furthermore, once
beyond the Qattara Depression, he
can operate almost anywhere across
the open desert toward the Nile. The
next few days should tell the story.