Vichy, Dec. 10, Pierre Laval, Vice-President of London, Dee. 1
British forces in the Western Desert are keeping up their press on the [lallans without resting, and the Bri ish Navy and the Royal Air Force ar almost constant action harassing the retreating Italians.
Fierce fighting now reported to be in progress in the Bugbug urea, 15 miles west of Sidi Barrani, which fell into the hands of the British yesterday.
It is stated here that the greater part of the Mahan troops which were in Barrani and its immediate neighbourhood have been bottled up. Hope that the greater part of these troops. comprising two divisions—between 14,000 and 17,000 men—will be captured is expressed in military circle the large number of prisoners already taken is still being counted, The considerable quantity of equipment and" stores captured at Sidi Barrant is proving a considerable Help to the British troops in. theb?
tinted pursuit of the Hations. The quick advance, it Is said, is being Carried out methodically ahd accord-Ing. toa careful, strategic plan Equipment, manpower and. supplies are being conserved, and no frontal fAtlacks ure being made until flank operations render an assault possible.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.