ITALIAN REVERSE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 73, 19 December 1935, Page 11

ITALIAN REVERSE

Abyssinian Encircling Movement OFFICERS KILLED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received December 18, 10.30 p.m.) Rome, December 17. Marshal Badoglio admits an Italian reverse and a retreat following an Abyssinian encircling movement. A communique says that a considerable force, estimated at 3000, attacked the Italian outposts on the Takkaze River near a ford at Maitimehet, and Askari troops, after stiff resistance, retired on the Dembeguina. a tributary of the Takkaze. Another Abyssinian group forded the river with a view to the encirclement of Shire, where the population submitted, resulting in a battle in which Italian aeroplanes and armoured cars are actively participating. So far four Italian officers and nine men are killed and three officers wounded. The Askaris have lost 10 killed and wounded. The Abyssinian casualties were considerable. The Abyssinians at Maitimehet drove back the Italians twelve miles until they encountered strong Italian reinforcements which inflicted heavy losses. This is apparently the first battle in which white troops were prerominantly engaged. The Italian war correspondents so far have been prohibited from describing the fighting. The Exchange agency’s correspondent at Asmara points out that the attack at Maitimehet was only a diversion to mask a larger movement to the south in which forces commanded by Dedjazmatch Aileuburruh, one of Haile Selassie’s most trusted leaders, penetrated into the Shire and Add! Abbo regions with a view to intimidating seceding tribes and attacking the Italian flank west of Aksum. The Abyssinian advance began before dawn and was still proceeding in the afternoon.

The Italians have begun an asphalt road 100 miles long from Adigrat to Makale and are aiming at its completion before the rains in April in order to ensure communications.’