TAKING OF ASMARA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 5

TAKING OF ASMARA.

DECLARED AN OPEN TOWN.

AXIS COMMANDER DISAPPEARS.

(R<?.c. 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 2

• It is authoritatively stated that the Italians declared Asmara ah open town. It' is estimated there are 40,000 Italian and native troops somewhere in Eritrea.

General Frusci (Italian Cojnmander-in-Chief in Eritrea.) disappeared two nights before the British reached Asmara.

PERFECT ROADS FOR INVADERS.

CONVERGING ON ADDIS ABABA

(Bee. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 2. Agency messages from Cairo state that Imperial troops are now advancing in the direction of Adowa, along the natural path of invasion of Central Abyssinia, a path which the Italians trod twice before—once (in 1890) to meet disaster and the other to conquer the Empire which has now crumpled. Perfect roads are open to the invaders to Gondar in the west and to Addis Ababa in the south, to which city women and children were taken some time ago from Asmara. All indications are, however, that the South African column which is SAveeping disorganised bands'before it aa'cll past Dircdawa, will, with the use of the Djibouti—Addis Ababa railway, be the first to enter thS Abyssinian capital. The Patriots and the Emperor, pushing in from Debra Markos will be a close second.

Another example of the rapidity with which the British Imperial troops are able to advance lies in the capture of an entire mechanised unit and one battalion Avhioh was cut off from the Italian Army during the retreat from Keren. This ability to advance so fast is in large measure due to the sterling work of the Indian and English sappers avlio rapidly clear the road of all obstacles, Avhetlier they be mines or the result of Italian destruction.

Reports speak of tho Aveakening of the morale of the defeated army. Even the Askaris, Avho fought admirably at Keren, are to be seen lounging at the side of the roads.—British Official Wireless.