SIEGE OF KEREN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 9

SIEGE OF KEREN

British Forces Drawing

Close DIFFICULT TERRAIN

Mountain Stronghold In

Eritrea

(British Official Wireless ami Press Assu.i (Received March 4, 7.30 p.m.)

LONDON, March 3. With the exception of a rapid advance in Italian Somaliland, resulting in the occupation of Villaggio d’Abruzzi, an important agriculture centre. 80 miles by rail from Mogadishu. British operations in Africa have slowed down to nibbling operations. The Italian mountain stronghold of Keren, in Eritrea, is proving to be one of the toughest nuts to crack in the campaign against Italy’s East-African Empire. British troops coming down from the north are now less than 15 miles from the town. This column is known to be composed of Imperial forces, including Indian troops and Free French infantry which yesterday captured an Italian town. Conditions are difficult, and there are no roads wide enough for mechanized units. Camels are being used to carry material. On the other side of the town Imperial forces are less than four miles away, waiting for the signal to attack. Further south, Italians retreated from Barentu to cover Asmara and Massawa, both of which are strongly defended. The R.A.F., however, has complete control of the air in this area, having destroyed all Italian planes in the vicinity and wrecked enemy aerodromes. The “Daily Telegraph’s’’ Khartoum correspondent says the chief obstacle between our northern column in Eritrea and Keren is the long gorge of the Ansebe River, where the enemy has chosen to stand, rather than Mescellit Pass, thus enabling the defenders of Keren to shorten their forward communications, which the R.A.F. continues to strafe pitilessly. The strength of Keren lies in the fact that it is 7000 feet up and that the roads and paths are strongly guarded. A strange hide-and-seek artillery duel is going on. Italy’s best forces, including the Savoy Grenadiers, reinforced by artillery, are holding a position planned by Nature as a perfect stronghold. The British and Italian batteries are invisible to each other, and the Italians constantly change the position of their guns during darkness. Despite this, the accuracy of the British gunners has been remarkable. A correspondent describes how a Highland officer and troops were ambushed by Italians. Fighting back, they drove the Italians off, but found themselves unable to win clear because of withering machine-gun fire. A signal was sent back to the British artillery, and the British troops crouching behind rocks in the burning sun, suddenly heard shells whistling over their heads to where the Italians were, only 200 yards away. The Highland officer said it was wonderful shooting. “Our boys dropped the first few shells on the Italians, who soon packed up. Some surrendered, and others retreated.” Empire Co-eperation. In the Eritrean campaign, as in Libya, success has been made possible by the magnificent Empire co-operation. Indian troops, men of an English county regiment, and members of the Sudan Defence Corps alike have had to withstand blazing heat, mosquitoes, malaria, and swarms of flies. Living on hard rations, they chased the enemy whenever they encountered him. Magnificent work has also been done by British bombers, South African fighters, and a special Rhodesian squadron. The airmen, living under hard tropical conditions, have run the Italian air force right out of the sky. Today even the infantry in the most forward British positions in Eritrea seldom see a single Italian plane. Further proof that the work of the Empire airmen has been well done comes from Kenya. It is announced that from tomorrow there will be no blackout in Nairobi or in the whole of the highland area. Only modified restrictions will be enforced on the coast. Today's news from Italian Somaliland shows that Italian resistance is virtually at an end. The British forces have advanced a further 80 miles from Mogadishu and occupied three villages. On the other African battlefronts — in Libya, Eritrea and Abyssinia—the situation remains unchanged. On all the East African fronts British bombers and fighters continue to harass the enemy with machine-gun attacks and bombing raids on gun positions, troops and motor transport. A communique issued by headquarters of the R.A.F. in the Middle East says "Enemy positions in and around Keren were attacked yesterday by our 1 bombers, while fighters of a South ' African Air Force squadron continued to harass the. enemy with machinegun attacks on gun positions, troop concentrations, and motor transport. At Burye large fires and heavy ex\ plosions occurred as a result of the bombing of military objectives. On other fronts in Italian East Africa air support was given to our troops. From all these operations our planes returned safely, except one bomber which so far has failed to return to its base.” Italians Surrender. From Mogadishu, the Italian Somaliland port which has been taken by the British forces, comes a story illustrating the rapid collapse of Italian morale. When more than a thousand officers and men of the Italian Somaliland army learnt that the British troops had arrived they made no attempt to fight, but signified their wish to surrender, but the British were busy, and the Italians were told to come back the following day. They did. Mr. Churchill has sent his congratulations to General Wavell on the brilliant result of the campaign in Italian Somaliland. The Prime Minister's message asked General Wavell to convey to General Cunningham the thanks and appreciation of Ills Majesty’s Government for the vigorous, daring, and highly successful operations which he has conducted in command of his ardent, well-trained and well-organized army.