ITALIAN DEFEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1936, Page 7

ITALIAN DEFEAT.

TEMBIEN BATTLE. British Correspondents Give Abyssinia Victory. NORTHERN FIGHTING. United Frees Association.—Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON", February 2. It is officially declared that the Tembien battle followed a careful and long-prepared Italian plan but resulted in a terrible defeat in Italy's first real military offensive. "The Times" Addis Ababa correspondent considers that the Abyssinian control of Tembien is definitely complete, while Pas Seyoum has greatly tightened his grip on the Adowa-Makalle road. "The Times" Dessye representative explains that three blockhouses captured by the Abyssinians were those nearest the road. He attributes the victory to Pas Kassa's careful leadership in prolonging the battle and keeping the troops in hand until the last assault. He captured dozens of machine-guns at the sword point. The position of the Italians in Makalle is now most difficult. The "Daily Mail" Addis Ababa correspondent reports skirmishes south of Aksum and a continuance of the struggle for a road on which the Abyssinian front line almost rests in certain places though several patrols have crossed it. Other sources point but that while the main threat is from Pas Seyoum from the south-west Ra,s Kassa is based on Agula to the east and forms the second leg of the pincers. Pas Mulugeta's army is acting as a reserve. Foreign lied Cross units, including British, stationed at WaJdia, are working at high pressure and attending the wounded. Both Sides Claim Victory.' A message from Addis Ababa states that, although hitherto Abyssinian accounts of the battle of Tembien have been disparaged because of the definite character of the Italians' claims, it is officially announced now that the third phase of the battle opened on January 28, when the Abyssinians attacked all along the line and annihilated an entire Black Shirt division. When the Italians retired they left 3000 to .5000 killed and wounded. The Abyssinians claim to have captured 33 field guns, 175 machine-guns, more than 1000 rifles and 18 tanks. Also the Abyssinians claim that their own losses did not' exceed 1200 killed and wounded, and also to have repulsed an Italian advance column near Wadara —the next objective in General Graziani's advance. A British ambulance unit is busy at Waldia, 65 miles south of Dessye, and is treating hundreds or Abyssinians wounded as the result of bombing. A Rome message states that the official spokesman of the-' Italian Government characterised the Abyssinian claim to a victory in Tembien as false and absurd. He says it is another example of the "campaign of lies" against Italy.