BIG AIR RAID

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 11

BIG AIR RAID

DESCRIPTIONS DIFFER

BOMBING EXPEDITION

(Received November 20, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, November 19. A report from Asmara states that twenty bombing aeroplanes were employed in the biggest raid of the campaign so far. Count Ciano led the aeroplanes to a spot south of Amba Alagi, where 15,000 Abyssinians were concentrated in a deep valley. The aeroplanes dived to less than 100 feet and dropped bombs and opened machine-gun fire, causing the Ethiopians to scatter. They replied with rifles, machine-guns, and antiaircraft guns. Every aeroplane was hit, but none crashed. The Italians dropped two-pound bombs continuously for two hours and claim that there were 2000 Abyssinian casualties: Count Ciano's petrol tank, undercarriage, and rudder were hit by Abyssinian bullets. He ordered his force to cease fire and return to their base. He himself was compelled to make a forced landing at Makale, and was unhurt. Signor Mussolini's sons participated in the raid, the wings of their machines being riddled with bullets. It is reported from Addis Ababa that the Emperor left by aeroplane. His destination has not been divulged. One report states that it is Harrar and another the northern front. ANOTHER VERSION. , The Asmara correspondent of the "Times" puts, a different complexion on the Italian bomb attack. Two squadrons of aeroplanes, he says, made a concerted onslaught on 20,000 Abyssinians . concentrated in a deep defile near Antalo. It was considered strange that they should expose encampments in the area which were constantly under aerial observation, and the result proved that the camp was part of an elaborate stratagem. The camp itself was empty, but the sides of the gorge were manned by concealed machine-gunners and riflemen awaiting an attack. When the squadrons flew low, bombing and firing, they met a heavy fire from the heights. All the aeroplanes were riddled with bullets, but they continued the action until their ammunition was exhausted.

The British United Press correspondent at Asmara says that Count Ciano's aeroplane was hit thirty times, and that his machine-gunner, Sergeant Birago, was severely wounded, but scribbled encouraging notes on bloodstained paper to the pilot.