ITALIAN ADVANCE RESUMED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21714, 22 February 1936, Page 15

ITALIAN ADVANCE RESUMED

Mountain Fortress Bars Way

DESPERATE BATTLE REPORTED (iJKITSD FBXSB AI9OCIATIOK—COrTWOHT.) (Received February 21, 8.38 p.m.) ROME, February 20. A communique announces that the First Army Corps has resumed the advance southward. The air force has not given the enemy any respite. Marshal Badoglio's objective is now Ekbaalazi, a natural fortress, 11,000 feet high, barring access to the motor road to Addis Ababa which, however, is 250 miles distant in a straight line. Marshal Badoglio, extending his operations laterally, has occupied Amba Demascal (Mount Bamba), north of Gaela, controlling the road southward from the Tembien and further threatening the retreat of Ras Kassa and Ras Seyoum. He is also reported to have reached Anseba, 17 miles east of Scelicot, and thus has occupied the mountain range marking the boundary of the great Abyssinian plateau, dominating the Danakil plain. Three hundred aeroplanes are harassing the Abyssinians as a preliminary to a drive toward Harar and Jigjiga. The Asmara correspondent of the "Daily Mail" reports that air photographs show Ras Mulugheta's troops struggling southward. Many have thrown down* their arms and the columns are apparently disintegrating. A desperate battle is reported to be raging between the forces of Ras Seyoum and blackshirts, on the advancing west flank; states a message from Addis Ababa. The Italians attacked first, using heavy mountain and field artillery. The Ethiopians are reported to be holding their own. They do not venture from their caves and dugouts in the daytime; but they have perfected their night-raiding tactics. Patrols creep up to the Italian lines and then attack the invaders with, swords and bayonets. The most violent encounters occurred along the river Maiueri, a tributary of the Takkaze. ! ITALIAN CLAIM NOT MENTIONED RAS MULUGHETA SAID TO HAVE RECOVERED LARGE ABYSSINIAN FORCES WAITING LONDON, February 20. A copyright message to "The Times" from Addis Ababa says that an official silence is still being maintained on the Italian claim to a victory on February 16. It is unofficially stated that nearly the whole of Ras Mulugheta's army has re-formed in the south-west in its original position, directly south of the Italian Third Army Corps, which is reported to have occupied the village of Gaela, and is movmg westward toward the Takkaze river, aiming to sever Ras Kassa's communications with Gondar. If the Italians are attempting such a move Haile Selassie will probably order Ras Kassa to move southward from Addi Abbi, while Ras Mulugheta advances to the northward towards Antalo and Gaela to close the narrow avenue along which the Italian communications run througn roadless country. Whether or not the report of Ras Mulugheta's recovery is true, Dessie is not greatly troubled by the reported Italian success. ._ Lieutenant-Colonel Holt, the British Attache in Abyssinia, expresses the opinion that uneasiness is not felt about the northern front Other observers declare that the Abyssinians' morale remains good. The armies of Dedjazmatch Wodaju, Atch Wodaju, Ras Kabede, and Bitouided Makonnen, totalling more than 100,000, which are well fed and well equipped, are still facing the Italians.