MASSAWA FALLS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 153, 10 April 1941, Page 6

MASSAWA FALLS

ONE PORT IN ERITREA LEFT

EFFECT ON AFRICAN CAMPAIGN.

HARDER fighting elsewhere

(United Press Association—Copyright.l (Rec. 1.0 a,m.) LONDON, April 9. Massawa, the Red Sea port in Eritrea, Is in British hands. It will ho remeiubered that the British recently called on the Italian forces to surrender hut the comipunder refused. The only port left to the enemy is Assab. It is stated that the conclusion of the campaign in Eritrea and Abyssinia will liberate masses of men and material for strengthening the Army of the Nile.

With the rapid German advance in the Balkans, however, harder fighting can be expected in Cyrcnaica and in defence of Egypt.

REARGUARD IN ACTION.

THE CONCENTRATION IN LIBYA.

ENEMY ADVANCE DELAYED. (Rec. 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. A communique issued by British headquarters at Cairo states: ‘ £ ln Libya yesterday our rearguard, whoso role was to delay the enemy advance while our main concentration was being completed, were heavily engaged all day by numerically-superior forces. “Massawa, in Eritrea, capitulated yesterday afternoon and is now being occupied by our troops. Meanwhile our mobile columns are continuing their advance south and south-west along the Dessie and Gondar roads. Our pursuit of the retreating Italian forces in Abyssinia is being maintained.” —British Official Wireless.

PART TAKEN BY INDIANS.

IMPORTANT CAPTURES MADE. (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. A communique issued at Nairobi states: “Indian troops took part in the capture of Addis Ababa. Important stocks of arms and materials of all kinds were captured. A large number of prisoners includes two complete Black Shirt battalions, over 60 pilots and 'IOOO air force ground personnel.— British Official Wireless.

ESTABLISHED AT TOBRUK.

BRITISH TANKS REINFORCED.

STRONG FORTIFICATIONS. (Ree. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. Baron Moyne (leader of tho Houso of Lords) announced in the Lords that our reinforcements of tanks by means of sea power, had established themselves in force in strong fortifications at Tobruk.

ITALIAN REPORT OF ARRIVAL

GERMANS (CLAIM PRISONERS (Rec. 12.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. The “Giornalo DMtalia” claims that Italian forces, aided by the Germans, yesterday arrived before Tobruk. A Berlin communique claims the capture of Mekili, and that 2000 prisoners, including six British generals wero taken in Libya.