THE “LITTLE RAINS”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 75, 10 January 1936, Page 5

THE “LITTLE RAINS”

TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS.

MILITARY OPERATION® STOPPED.

COMMUNICATION® AFFECTED.

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, January 9.

The “little rains,” which are of uncertain date of appearance and duration, and may come at any time between Christmas and April, arrived unusually early, producing torrential downpours, bringing military operations to a standstill and affecting communications. It "is believed they will considerably disturb Marshal Badoglio’s preparations for his next move.

AERIAL ACTION PREVENTED. CONTINUANCE OF RAINS. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, January 9. The continuance of rains precludes aerial action owing to low clouds and poor visibility. Other operations are also delayed.

ABYSSINIAN ATTACK FOILED.

RAIN OIF SHELLS AND BOMBS.

KEY POSITION DEFENDED,

(Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) ASMARA, January 9. The Italians report that carefullyhidden artillery south of Makale foiled an Abyssinian attempt to penetrate the Italian lines at the key position at Scelikot by an advance along the valley of the Jabat River. Field artillery and medium guns, pouring in a rain of shells, and pieces of jagged rock split by bombs, caused widespread .casualties. Air raids, assisting in driving back the advance, also bombed a column advancing on Maitimchet Ford. CLAIM BY ITALIANS. ASMARA, January 8. The Italians claim to have driven 2000 of .Ras Mulugeta’s regulars off the northern slopes at Amba Aradam, 12 miles south of Makale, by an artillery bombardment. ITALIANS FALLING BACK.

WHOLE PROVINCE EVACUATED,

LONDON, January 8

“The Times” correspondent at Addis Ababa says that the Emperor has announced that lias Seyoum’s forces have occupied the whole of the Tembjen province.

The Italians, in the last encounter, fled, leaving a tank and a lorry, and burning churches as they retreated.