28 NOVEMBER 1941, Page 4

In view of the prospect that General Auchinleck's troops will

soon be sweeping westwards along the Libyan coast, it may be useful to recall, for purposes of comparison, the chief stages of General Wavell's advance last winter. The offensive opened on December 9th (starting from Mersa Matruh, 8o miles inside the Egyptian frontier). Thereafter the principal dates were : December rth.—Capture of Sidi Barrani.

December I7th.—Sollum and Fort Capuzzo occupied. January 5th.—Surrender of Bardia.

January 22nd.—Capture of Tobruk.

January 3oth.—Capture of Derna.

February 6th.—Capture of Benghazi.

It will be observed that it took over three weeks to reach Bardia then. The town was captured on the fifth day of the present offensive.