ADDIS ABABA TAKEN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 7

ADDIS ABABA TAKEN

A Bloodless ' Victory

ADVANCE ON MASSAWA

(Received April 7, 11.15 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON. April 6. It is officially announced in London that advanced units of the Empire forces have entered Addis Ababa, the capital of Abyssinia. A military spokesman in Cairo said Addis Ababa was captured without bloodshed. The British forces were probably sweeping on to Bessie. There are no further details about the entry of British troops into Addis Ababa. The Italians may have withdrawn as the British forces approached. This suggests a further deterioration in the Italian morale, as there was a strong garrison at the capital. On the other hand the Duke of Aosta, the Italian Viceroy, may have been ordered to prolong as much as possible *he operations in Abyssinia in furtherance of Germany’s plans. The capture of Addis Ababa recalls Signor Mussolini’s bombastic speech when the Italian forces took the Abyssinian capital five years ago. On that occasion he said that the chiefs, fugitive and defeated, no longer counted and no power on earth would make them count again. The bloodless conquest of Addis Ababa is confirmed in a communique issued bv the War Office in London. It said that the following message came to Lieutenant-General Cunningham Officer Commanding in East Africa, by an Italian envoy before the entry of Imperial troops into Addis Ababa;

“The Duke of Aosta wishes to express his appreciation of the initiative taken by General Sir Archibald Wavell and Lieutenant-General Cunningham regarding the protecting of women' : and childrdh in Addis Ababa. It demonstrates the strong bond of humanity and race still existing between the nations." Jt is difficult to say in which direction the Italian forces in Addis Ababa could be safely withdrawn. A withdrawal in any direction would be unwise, particularly to the north, since Imperial forces hold strong positions at Debra Markos. A flight in the direction of Assab would find the British waiting on the Red Sea coast. The capture of Addis Ababa would be regarded as an indication that the whole East African campaign might come to ap end at no distant date, but it is emphasised that recently there were computed to be 70,000 Italian troops and 100,000 Italian-controlled native troops still to be reckoned with. The figure does not allow for the Italian forces that have been “mopped up”, during recent operations. A message from Athens says tpe news of the capture of Addis Ababa was received there with indescribable enthusiasm. . • Free French patrols are now eight miles from Massawa. They came down from the north. British forces are 10 miles west of Massawa. British troops, including Sudanese, operating 80 miles froin Asmara, near Adigrat. captured three brigade commanders and 86 other officers. The native troops these officers commanded rapidly melted away after the fall of Asmara, Towns and villages are surrendering eagerly as the British patrols race southward. The Asmara correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that an Italian hospital ship, with 700 wounded aboard, war, intercepted going to Massawa. There -are 3(300 wounded in hospitals in Asmara. B.A.F.’s Activities The part played by the Royal Air Force in the advance from the east towards Addis Ababa is outlined in a Royal Air Force Middle East communique, which states: “Addis Ababa was heavily raided by the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force on Friday afternoon. Direct, hits with heavy bombs were registered on hangars, aerodrome buildings, and barracks. Large fires were started and smoke from them could be seen more than 40 miles away, After completing the bombing attack our aircraft machine-gunned enemy aircraft on the ground, destroying four bombers and damaging several others. Enemy fighters attempted to intercept our air. craft, but quickly broke off the engagement. : Mechanical transports were attacked west of Hacfena and southeast of Addis Ababa. Petrol lorries, which were machine-gunned, blew up, and the enemy suffered many casualties. “From all these operations all our aircraft returned safely." A communique issued in Cairo says: “In Libya, • the concentration of our troops is proceeding smoothly. “In Abyssinia, leading detachments of our Imperial forces, reached Addis Ababa on Saturday. “Further south, our general advance is continuing and the number of prisoners is steadily mounting. “In Eritrea, after clearing a block on the road from Asmara to Massawa, our troops are again proceeding towards the latter port. Our advance is also continuing successfully on the main road towards Dessie and Qondar.” A message from Nairobi says the Abyssinian chief, Ras Seyioum, who led large forces against the Italians in the Ethiopian war, has placed himself at the disposal of the British. The Italians tried to persuade him to lead a Government in opposition to Haile Selassie.

ITALIAN PATROLS REPELLED

GREEK SUCCESSES IN ALBANIA

ATHENS, April 7,

It is officially stated that in the sector south of the Vojiuza river, in Albania, Greek artillery repelled two Italian patrols. Several Italians were killed aftd wounded. The Italians attacked in the north with important forces, but the Greeks held their ground and inflicted losses. An earlier communique from Greek headquarters said: “There has been activity by Greek patrols and artillery, and the capture of 40 prisoners is reported. Enemy aeroplanes borhbed the village of Mirailla on Corfu. There were no casualties and the damage was insignificant.’’ Reports from Athens state that a hillside was occupied by Greek troops on Friday afternoon. The Italians launched a counter-attack, which was repulsed with heavy Josses. The Greeks, at the same time, attacked at other points, and these attacks resulted in the occupation of good positions and an advance of 1800 metres.

The Italians launched several attacks in order to recapture the lost positions, and although the attacks were continued until nightfall, they did not meet with even a mihor success.