BRITISH IN EAST AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23275, 11 March 1941, Page 7

BRITISH IN EAST AFRICA

Advance in Italian

Territory

RESISTANCE AT

KEREN

(united press association—copyright.)

(Received March 10, 11.15 p.m.)

LONDON, March 9.

British troops occupy almost twothirds of Italian East Africa’s vast surface. In two months they have captured 100,000 square miles in Italian Somaliland, 29,000 square miles in Eritrea, 39,000 square miles southwards and westwards of Lake Tsana, 10,000 square miles in Kurmuk, and 10,000 square miles on the North Kenya front,

This does not include the large gains resulting from the record-breaking drive of the East African armoured forces to Qabre Darra on the main road from Mogadisho to Harrar. These armoured forces are probably nearer Barrar than has been indicated 'and they are driving an important wedge between British Somaliland and the rest of East Africa. These armoured forces have advanced no fewer than 1000 miles in six weeks and are now approaching the area of Marshal Graziani’s drive to Ogaden in 1936. During the short rains, which are normally due in April, the terrain will be more difilcuU as the Abyssinian highlands are approached, but the magnificent road will be of much assistance.

The Italians at Keren are still stubbornly resisting. They number at least 40,000 and include some of the best Eritrean regiments, A communique issued by British Army headquarters in Cairo says: “In Libya and Eritrea there Js nothing of importance to report. The vigorous pursuit by the patriot forces in Abyssinia, of the garrison retreating from Rurye is continuing. , . “British troops in Italian Somaliland have occupied Gabre Darra. on the main road from Mogadisho to Harrar. On' the other fronts, the extension of the British areas of occupation is proceeding with many additions to the number of, prisoners already taken.’’

The patriots from Burye have driven the Italians beyond Dambacha, and are keeping up a merciless pressure from all sides. South Africans from Lugh occupied Dolo and are pushing on to the north-westward.. The Italians in Ogaden are in full flight. British aeroplanes report seeing white' flags at points more than 100 miles ahead.

Activity by Royal Air Force

A communique issued by the Middle East Headquarters of the Royal Air Force says: “in jLibya during the night of March / 7 and 8, Royal Air Force bombers attacked the harbour at Tripoli. Bombs were observed bursting on the railway line. Enemy aerodromes in Tripolitania were also bombed. , .

"Royal Air Force bombers inflicted considerable damage on the KerenAsmara road in Italian East Africa and attacked enemy troop positions in the Keren area. "South African fighter aeroplanes machine-gunned and burned out two oil dumps and a lorry south of Asmara.

"From all these operations our aeroplanes returned safely.” _ - Since the collapse of the Italian forces in East Libya. Royal Air Force bombers have been busy in raids on Italian territory. On Saturday night Royal Air Force bombers raided a harbour in Sicily and the railway^lines m the vicinity. An aerodrome-was also attacked, and heavy damage was done. The spirit of the Gold Coast troops in the fighting ;n Somaliland, many of whom at the beginning of the war had never seen a train or a motor-car, but were prepared to face anything, is described by one of their officers in a cable from Nairobi. ■ “We put one of them through some bush with an anti-tank gun." he stated. ‘/About dawn an Italian armoured- car oarne out of the bush only 100 yards away. Although this monster came crashing directly towards his hideout, the African did not open fire until the enemy was within 30 yardsand then he shot the driver dead. The driverjess car careered towards him and ho had to roll over to get out of its path. It actually ran over part of the gun and crashed against a tree before its crew surrendered."

PREVENTION OF

DISEASE

WORK AMONGST TROOPS / IN EAST AFRICA

LONDON, March 9.

A correspondent in East Africa, remarks that the low casualties sustained by the Imperial Forces against the Italians have been equalled by the triumph of the medical authorities in preventing the progress *of disease amonfe the troops. In earlier wars in this field there was a terrible danger of heavy death rates. In -eight months 35 Europeans died of sickness. Deaths in Africa from all diseases were at the rate of only three a thousand annually. . Another comparison is that the sickness rates in the field were slightly lower than among - , the troops in camp in the Union. In earlier wars it was not uncommon to have more than halt the men laid up with malaria and deaths from dysentery were numerous. So far there has been little malaria and the dysentery is reported to have been of a medium type. Plague, sleeping sickness and typhoid are unknown.

NO SOUP KITCHENS FOR BELGIUM

HOOVER’S PROPOSALS REJECTED

WASHINGTON, March 9. Announcing the rejection of Mr Herbert Hoover’s proposal for soup kitchens In Belgium, a statement issued by Brltish Embassy' declared that the British Government believed it would be false humariitarianism to admit foodstuffs to any German-occupied,territory and it wap determined not to weaken tne blockade. Replyingi'Mr Hoover said the stark fact was that millions of children and weak adults were threatened with stunted bodies and death in the ;occunied lands unless they were relieved., The food situation was far worse than the British statement Indicated. 'ln Belgium the ration now was less than half that necessary to maintain life.

Western Samoa Spitfire Fund.-rThe Western Samoa Spitfire Fund has closed at £5672. Ai queen caroival realised £944. • Miss Hazel Betham. commercial, and sports queen, .was chosen queen of thO/Carnlval with 29,232 votes, and the Administration queen was second, and the Sampan queen third.—Apia, March 10.