Counterattack in Libya?

Part of the Imperial Army of the Nile, having cut its teeth on the Italians in Libya, may last week have been called upon for a far more important job in Greece. But in that Army's rightful sphere--Libya and Egypt--there was still work to do.

Fortnight ago, the British warned that the central Mediterranean was henceforth unsafe for shipping, few days later announced that their submarines in that area had sunk eight Axis supply ships and transports. This suggested that new troops, possibly German, were being hurriedly ferried across to Libya. Last week Berlin and Rome proudly announced that a German motorized advance patrol had met and defeated a British patrol near Agedabia, about 95 miles south of Bengasi and well to the east of the farthest point of British advance.

It was altogether possible that the Axis was contemplating a counterattack in Libya. In his speech fortnight ago, Benito Mussolini hinted that there were still some 150,000 Italian troops left in Libya--a far greater remnant than had been supposed. From unofficial French and German sources came perhaps exaggerated reports that the Germans in Libya numbered two armored divisions.

At week's end Marshal Rodolfo Graziani reviewed the joint Nazi-Fascist force. A German officer shouted: "At the beginning of Italian-German cooperation on African soil, we swear to make the greatest effort for a joint victory for Great Germany and Great Italy. Long live Great Italy! Long live Great Germany!"

The assembled troops roared: "We swear it!"

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