MANY CASUALTIES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 68, 2 January 1936, Page 5

MANY CASUALTIES

SWEDISH UNIT DESTROYED. LOW-FLYING AEROPLANES. HOSPITAL NARROWLY ESCAPES. PROTEST TO THE LEAGUE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) ADDIS ABABA, December 31. Addis Ababa, was horrified by a wireless report from Has Desta that the Italians had bombed a Swedish Red Cross ambulance unit 20 miles from Dolo. All the members of the unit, including nine Swedes and 23 Abyssinians, were at first believed to be killed. It is'now thought, however/ that there might be some survivors, including Dr. Fride Hylander, the commander, though he was certainly wounded. The aeroplanes flew low enough to be able easily to distinguish the Red Cross. The Swedish Consul at Addis Ababa describes the bombing as a dastardly crime which only barbarians could have committed. Soldiers, he said, were able to take cover during air raids, but Red Cross workers must stand at their posts. The international Red Cross delegate has sent a strong protest to Geneva. The anxiety of foreign Red Cross volunteers is increased by a report that an Egyptian hospital narrowly escaped when the Italians bombed Dagabur yesterday. The Government has notified the Swedish Red Cross at Stockholm of the bombing. Dr. Hanner, the Swedish Consul, is leaving for the scene with Baron von Rosen, a Swedish Red Cross airman, to search for survivors, who may include Drs. Eric Smith and Alike Holm, though all of these are believed to have been wounded. Ten aeroplanes took part in the attack. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says the first news of the bombing came from a wireless operator at the headquarters of Ras Desta, at Xugelli, at the southernmost extremity of Sidamo. He briefly announced to the Government the total destruction of the unit. Ras Desta followed up with a message to Dr. Hanner stating that the medical staff and equipment were all destroyed (the actual Abyssinian words used mean “broken to pieces.”) He asked for a red cross aeroplane to carry Dr. Hylander to Addis Ababa. The aeroplane had left for Dessie this morning and it will be immediately recalled. It is expected here on the morning of New Year’s Day. The Italian mastery of the air makes flights from Dessie unsafe except in the early morning. The Government, meanwhile, has asked Ras Desta by radio for fuller details. Swedish Red Cross flags are flown at half-mast. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says Ras Desta was pressing toward Lugh. The bombing occurred between the advance troops and the main body. The Abuna (the head of the church) has telegraphed to the world’s religious leaders protesting against the Italians burning churches in their retreat from Ahbi Addi and condemning Abyssinians who desert to the enemy. He threatens the deserters with the curse of Judah.