RECENT FIGHTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 77, 13 January 1936, Page 5

RECENT FIGHTING

ABYSSINIAN LOSSES. FIGHT WITH RENEGADE CHIEF. ITALIAN AIRCRAFT ASSIST. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) ASMARA, January 12. Ras Desta is reported to have lost 484 killed and 500 wounded in an encounter on December 30 with the chief Olal Dinie, who had submitted to the Italians. Dinie, assisted by Italian aircraft, routed strong Abyssinian forces at Gabba, in the Upper Webbe Shebcli region.

ITALIAN ’PLANE CRASHES.

TWO PILOTS KILLED. (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) ASMARA. January 12. Owing to engine trouble, an aeroplane crashed near Makale, killing the three occupants. Two were Luigi Lanza and Alberto Ostini, pilots of Count Ciano’s sqluadron, who were recently decorated for bravery. The mechanic was the third occupant. The mechanic was Sergeant Barino. The aeroplane, which crashed on a hillside owing to low-lying clouds, is believed to be that in which Lanza and Lieut. Baron Ostini (chief of the Press Bureau) were companions of Sergeant Balmazio Birago, the first Air Force casualty, when he was fatally wounded during a raid on an Abyssinian encampment in November.

BOTH SIDES CLAIM SUCCESS.

ITALIAN FORCE AMBUSHED

LONDON, January 11

The Addis Ababa, correspondent of “The Times” confirms the recent Abyssinian capture of six tanks, which the Abyssinians found in a mountain defile. They built stone barriers at night to prevent the tanks escaping, ancl attacked at dawn, eventually, in spite of casualties, killing or taking prisoner the crews. An Asmara message says three Italian officers were wounded and one non-commissioned officer and two askaris killed in a conflict at the junction of the Gabat and Geva Rivers, west of Makale. The Abyssinians sustained a considerable loss and fled westward before the fire df the Italian light artillery and trench mortars, and then encountered a column of askaris, who scattered them with machine-guns and rifles. An unofficial story from Addis Ababa that the Abyssinians had reached the outskirts of Makale was promptly denied in Rome, where it was suggested that the enemy were 15 or 20 miles away. In rebuttal of stories of heavy Italian losses, it was officially announced that between October 3 and December 31, only 521 Eritrean and Somali natives were killed. , The Italians declare that six hours aerial bombing drove out 2000 Abyssinians who were taking refuge m caves on mountain slopes forming a natural fortress above the plain of Shelicot. Several aeroplanes were damaged liy bullets and shells, but returned safely. A message from Dessie says that four Italians captured at Enda Selassie on December 14 tell how an Italian force of 1600 was ambushed in a gorge and fled after suffering 800 casualties and losing 10 tanks. Correspondents describe the prisoners as mere lads of the 1911-12 class. Major Guerremi Remo, belonging to the 10th Tank Squadron of the Duke of Abruzzi’s regiment, said the infantry column had been held up and called by wireless for the assistance of tanks, ten of which, accompanied by two lorries filled with troops, hastened to reinforce them. The tanks advanced 20 miles, and entered a ravine with precipitous sides where, rounding a projecting rock, they ran into an area strewn with boulders that was a veritable tank trap. The leading tank broke down and immediately a devastating fusillade began from the hillsides, killing the officer and crew, who had got out. The other tanks collided with "the one that was damaged. One caught flic, and the remainder, unable to advance or retreat, and under a merciless fire, were speedily put out of action.

Major Romo’s tank slipped down a hank and overturned. The troops on the lorries jumped down and tried to escape in the bush on the hillsides, but were shot down. Meanwhile, the Ahyssinians were firing' through the portholes in the tanks and also attacking the infantry, who, dropping under the withering fire, fled when the Ahyssinians charged, leaving half their number dead and wounded. Major Remo and his companion, seeing their tank surrounded, opened the door and surrendered. They were agreeably surprised when they were treated kindly, because they had been warned not to surrender as they would be mutilated by the Ahyssinians. Two other prisoners were captured when a lorry was ambushed. They were the only survivors of a party of 16. Correspondents say that the Italians, when captured, were wearing threadbare tunics and trousers and broken boots, indicating the condition of the Italian troops, which the captives refused to discuss, saying that they must some day return to Italy. They admitted disappointment at the slowness of the Italian advance, which they had been told would he a walk-over.