12 Dec 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Dec 12, 1940
Page
1
Cairo officials state British air and ground forces progress in the desert battle with fast tanks driving into pockets of enemy troops as night gunfire echoes across the region. Canadian ace leads RAF squadrons in escort duties amid ongoing operations.
Canberra politicians press for confirmation on whether Australian troops are in action in the western desert as reports from Britain and the BBC circulate. The Prime Minister Mr Menzies has cabled for verification but no denial or approval has been received. Turkish political circles back British offensive in Egypt as Axis gains shift news focus.
British forces strike in a wide offensive across the Western Desert forming an equilateral triangle with Sidi Barrani Maktila and Nikeiwa Sidi Barrani 15 miles south. RAF reports destroying 18 enemy planes and damaging aerodromes from Derna to Sidi Barrani while air and ground units hit enemy troop concentrations and transport. The day’s actions mark a significant, if partial, British advance with Italian retreat toward Sidi Barrani and Libyan positions under pressure.
Britain will not lift the blockade and opposes private American led food relief to German occupied territories. Lord Lothian says such aid would aid the German war effort and delay liberation. Britain will allow medical supplies through to occupied and unoccupied France with approved groups. Hull says no decision on European food relief or a Spain loan.
London reports Greek forces gain ground along the front with bayonet wins and heavy enemy losses. Three guns captured as Greeks reach Pigeras north of Searanda. Italian salvage at Fort Palmero and Valona operations noted. Rome says Italian Albanian casualties for November total 772 Italians and eight Albanians killed, 1,874 Italians and 43 wounded.
The piece surveys British and Allied readings of Hitler’s aims, noting Nazi claims over Dutch and Belgian sovereignty, vows to hold occupied territories, and the risk to subject nations from German advances. It also reports Italian and Greek front developments, evacuations plans, and New Zealand praise for Greek resistance.
Australian plans outline an armoured division with a 17 ton cruiser tank at about £1,000 per ton. The unit will include four machine guns in turrets and future heavy, medium, and light tanks. Production, training, and industry expansion are to be prepared by the War Cabinet with locally made two pounder anti tank guns and Sperry aircraft instruments expected later.
Lord Lothian appealed to American workers and unions in Baltimore to back Britain and finance efforts as Hitler prepares a winter and spring offensive. He warned of submarines and planes, two new battleships, and potential Axis advances from Gibraltar to the East, stressing joint defense of Atlantic and Pacific routes.
Sir Walter Citrine of the British Trades Union Congress told a dinner in Washington that Britain must depend increasingly on the United States for vital defence armaments. He cited German air raids lowering output as factories were bombed and worker efficiency fell, noting Germany's industrial reach forced longer RAF travel distances.
Fragmentary OCR notes reference America and Britain with phrases about arming to save democracy and fortresses. The readable portion lacks a coherent event, date, or clear subjects beyond vague international aid and defense themes.
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