FIERCE BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 121, 15 February 1941, Page 11

FIERCE BATTLE

Big Forces Involved

At Keren

HARDER DEFENCE

British Continue Progress

(British Official Wireless ami Press Assu.l ( Received February 14. 9.10 p.m.)

LONDON. February 14

Though subjected throughout the dav and night to aerial and artiheiy bombardment, the Italians at Keren (Eritrea) are not only defending the town with unwonted vigour lull also are counter-attacking with some violence, flinging in upward of 25.000 men. The toughest resistance lies to the west of Keren. V\ e last night launched a terrific attack at this point, with devastating artillery support. Yesterday’s attack was the twentieth against Keren and aiso the most concentrated.

A Cairo General Headquarters communique yesterday stated: "In Eritrea the situation about Keren continues to develop. By a series of local attacks our troops are steadily improving their positions in the hills covering the town. Farther south our advance toward Maritza is progressing satisfactorily. “In Abyssinia in the Hobok area Smith African troops continue successfully to extend the area of penetration. "On the other fronts the situation is unchanged.” A Royal Air Force communique stated: "During Tuesday night the aerodromes on the Island of Rhodes and at Maritza and Kattavia were raided with considerable success. Fires were started at Maritza among buildings, and a very large lire at Kattavia, where there is believed lo have been a munition dump.

“At Calato fuel dumps were destroyed. A considerable amount of anti-aircraft fire was encountered. “There was considerable activity in the Keren area yesterday, and the railway station, dumps, motor transport, and enemy gun positions were bombarded throughout the day. Northwest of the town, at Orti, several direct hits were registered upon military stores. Warehouses and other military targets at Assab were raided. “Farther south, the South African Air Force bombed Afmadu, where direct hits were obtained on camouflaged buildings, which were destroyed. Motor transports between Jeliv and Brava were attacked, and a number of lorries were set. on. fire. “Malta was raided yesterday by a number of German and Italian aircraft. No damage or casualties resulted. “From all their operations the British aircraft returned safely." ENEMY COMMUNIQUES LONDON, February 13. A German communique says units of the air force in north Cyrenaica scored direct, hits on British camps, bombed grounded planes near Benghazi, and machine-gunned and dispersed columns of lorries. The communique adds that air photographs show a blockage .in the Suez Canal as a result of German air attacks since the middle of January. An Italian communique states that troops supported by bombers repelled attacks in the Keren zone and also repulsed with losses enemy columns in the - Omo River zone. Enemy bombing of tile island of .Rhodes caused damage to private buildings and killed three civilians. LOOTING IN BENGHAZI ( Received February 14, 11 p.m.) LONDON, February 14. ' The curfew has been imposed in Benghazi from 6.30 p.m., and other steps taken to cheek looting and violence, including orders to shoot, looters. Shots so far have been fired only as a warning, but 20 looters arc already in Benghazi jail.