HEAVY LOSSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 250, 22 October 1935, Page 7

HEAVY LOSSES.

ABYSSINIANS IN FLIGHT. SCATTERING IN DISORDER. IMPORTANT ITALIAN GAINS IN OGADEN. United Press Association.—Copyright.—Roc. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, October 21. It is reported from Asmara, capital of Eritrea, that the Italians on the Ogaden front captured valuable positions at Soillave and Daguerre. The Abyssinians lost heavily and fled in disorder, abandoning two guns and many machine guns and rifles. The correspondent of the Associated Press with the Italian forces on the southern front reports fierce fighting in which the Abyssinians- are believed to have suffered heavy casualties. Air observers reported that a strong force of Abyssinians was marching southward along the Fafan River, which passes through Harrar. General Graziana, assuming that the troops compriccd General Nasibu's flank, attacked them with bombs and machine guns from the air before dawn. This was preparatory to an attack by infantry transported under cover of darkness. The Abyssinians, after repulsing the first attack, were routed by reinforcements and fled toward Gorrahei. The clergy of 200 Coptic churches and 1 5 mosques in Tigre Province have collectively submitted to the Italians. The Rome correspondent of "The Times" says the Italians expect serious attacks on the Tigre and Somaliland fronts respectively. The most important Abyssinian concentration is in North Shoa, between the Blue Nile and a plateau in the central zone of Wallo. This position commands roads which radiate through Danakil, Assab, Tigre, Amhara, Gojjam and Shoa. Ras Mulugheta is marching to join the Prince of Assau and other chiefs in that area. His forces total 150,000, but they are poorly armed. A second Abyssinian concentration is in the Ogaden area, under General Nasibu and Ras Desta Damtou, son-in-law of the Emperor and Governor of Sidamo, whose irregular troops are estimated at 100,000. They are armed with modern weapons. A third concentration is reported in the Tembien district to support Ras Seyoum, who fell back on Makale after the capture of Adowa.