ITALIAN RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 11

ITALIAN RETREAT

Abyssinian Patriots Push On ENEMY HARASSED

Many Camps And Posts Wiped Out

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received March 7, 7 p.m.)

RUGBY, March 6.

Vivid details of Abyssinian patriot progress are given in a message from a correspondent with the Imperial forces, who writes: — “Well armed, fighting with undoubted spirit, spurred on by prospects of early final victory, Ethiopian patriots, whose forces have been substantially increased by large numbers of native deserters from the retreating enemy columns, have now practically wiped out Italian camps and posts in the bend of the Blue Nile. “After prolonged guerrilla pressure, the patriots, supported by cavalry patrols and R.A.F. bombers, on Tuesday occupied Burye. Dangila and Engiabiari had already fallen to them, and they are now harassing the enemy as they try to retreat on Addis Ababa, where important forces are massed, though a strong detachment has already been hurried away to Keren. “The Italian retreat was so hurried that they did not even attempt to make a stand when they passed through' one of the main posts on the main Burye-Debra road, and it was immediately occupied by patriots. “Progress is being made along the Gondar-Addis Ababa road, where the Italians had two brigades well supported by field artillery, and the enemy is being pursued toward the gorge of the Blue Nile, .40 miles from Burye.” Unbounded enthusiasm for Haile Selassie is reflected by women wearing little gold lions of Judah in their hair, and men and boys digging up weapons which have been hidden for years, says the Press Association.

Meanwhile, the news of the Gojjam success has been feeding the flames ot revolt in the Shoa province, till today the capital itself is threatened. The Italians have taken such stringent precautions that Addis Ababa resembles a vast concentration camp, being surrounded with a most elaborate system of barbed defences.

An English-speaking Abyssinian who reached the British lines after making a daring journey from Addis Ababa told the correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” at Khartoum that Addis Ababa has been converted into an entirely Italian city, all Abyssinians having been removed to a specially-built native town, several miles away. Nobody can enter or leave the wired-in area of Addis Ababa unless five guarantors who are known to the Italians vouch for his reliability. The gates are closed at sunset.

A Cairo communique states that in Libya forward elements of British advanced forces have again driven off detachments of enemy armoured fighting vehicles west of Ageila. In Abyssinia patriot forces continue to harass and inflict substantial casualties on the withdrawing Italians. In Italian Somaliland British troops occupied Ferfer, where the advance is continuing. In all other areas operations are progressing satisfactorily. So far the number of prisoners taken exceeds 10,000.