CITY OCCUPIED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 152, 9 April 1941, Page 6

CITY OCCUPIED.

• ENTRY INTO ADDIS AftABA.

NUMBER OF PRISONERS TAKEN.

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. An official communique issued at Nairobi describes the capture of Addis Ababa, also highly-successful raids by the South African Air Force. Regarding the occupation of the Italian capital, it is stated: “Following the leading elements which entered Addis Ababa late the previous evening, South African, East African and West African troops occupied the city on Sunday. There were no incidents, the Italian officials handing over the town with the essential services intact- A considerable number of prisoners, including airmen, were taken. The operations in this area continue, the enemy being followed up on all fronts. A further communique gives details of a raid on Kombolcha by the South African Air Force on Sunday. It says: “Our planes destroyed enemy aircraft dispersed over the aerodrome and damaged others of all types. In addition our fighter escort shot down t\yo CR42’s, both pilots baling out. Bombers damaged aerodrome buildings and barracks at Kombolcha, where they also damaged enemy aircraft which were taking off, and destroyed another on the runway. “Other bombers scored direct hits on the aerodrome buildings at Dessie, and several heavy bombs were dropped on a motor transport park north of the town. Motor transport on roads in the Dessie area were attacked by bombers and fighters. Several lorries were set on fire.”—British Official Wireless.