RETREAT FROM TRIBESMEN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 7

RETREAT FROM TRIBESMEN

Enemy In Ethiopia SWIFT DRIVE IN ERITREA Nearer Back Door Of Keren i British Official Wireless ami Press Assn.) (Received February 19, 7 p.m.) LONDON. February 18. Yesterday's communique in Cairo stated: ''ln Abyssinia as a result of patriot activities the Italians have evacuated Angela and other important posts in the Gojiam area. On al! the other fronts there is no change in the situation.’’ The Gojjam district is round the source ol the Blue Nile, and lies only about 100 miles north-west of Addis Ababa, the capital. Angela is 160 miles from Addis Ababa. The British column which has been advancing near the Red Sea coast of Eritrea is now 40 miles north-east of Keren and is threatening it from lhe rear, lhe column covered 100 miles in five days alter two stiff engagements and along appallingly rough tracks. Sudanese troops, which are lhe spearhead of the advance, took both Karora and Mersa Taclai from Hie rear. Their officers walked into Karora while il was still in Italian hands. They explored the outer defences and found them unheld, and they then went to the centre of the town, opened the door of a house and found themselves in an Italian officers’ mess, which was full of officers. Because their object was to get back safely with information they hastily retreated before the Italians had sufficiently recovered to draw their revolvers. After the capture of Karora one wing of the British, advanced along the road to Keren through Nacfa, capturing El Chena en route. The other wing pressed inland from Mersa Taclai, and it is now at the gates of Kubkub, a strong Italian post 40 miles from Keren. In the sector to tile south of Keren the British forces from Barelitu are pushing on eastward. Emperor Haile Selassie's troops have occupied Dangila and oilier posts, in the Gojjam and are closely pursuing the Italians, who are fleeing northward. The Stefaui (Italian) news agency states that a native Ethiopian army Jis being organized at Asmantr under Ras Gugsa and other chieftains, who have summoned the natives to beat the wardrums in Italy’s behalf. The Duke of Aosta, Viceroy of Ethiopia, has telegraphed- to Signor Mussolini : “We will last somehow. We are ready for any sacrifice for victory.” RAID ON SUEZ CANAL FAILS LONDON, February 18. A communique from Cairo states that an air raid on the Suez Canal area occurred early this morning. There was no damage or any casualties. Alarms were also sounded in certain other parts of Lower Egypt.