Cairo. May 7.
Heavy sandstorms and a furnacelike heat are testing the endurance of the Germans in the Sollum-
Tobruk area, according to well-informed military circles here. The situation is reported to be much the same as it was 24 hours ago, and the enemy's attack is believed to have proved exhausting as well as costly to him.
The position in Abyssinia. where the Imperial northern and southern columns are gradually converging on Amba Alagi is described as "very pro-raising" for the Imperial forces.
Observers returning from the Western Desert say that the Germans are being considerably affected by the conditions there. Prisoners' diaries contain frequent reference to the heat and to water shortages, while dive-bombing by their own planes is often mentioned.
There seems to be some truth in the reports that the Germans have trained troops for desert warfare by manoeuvres in the sand dunes on the Baltic.—Reuter.
"Our night patrols found the enemy positions on the edge of the escarpment above Habbaniyah unoccupied. The plateau due south of the cantonment is reported clear of rebels."
The communique goes on to give an account of how the post on the pipe-line, was reoccupied. "One of Our reconnaissance aircraft flew over the post and the insurgents who were occupying the post on the pipeline, signified that they wished to surrender ey waving white flags. Subsequently, the post was occupied tly our ground troop:
An earlier communique said that the situation at Basrah was still quiet, thus contradicting an Iraqi statement that a very heavy battle was going on there.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.