IN EAST AFRICA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1941, Page 7

IN EAST AFRICA

ENEMY RETREAT

STILL CONTINUING

HOW AGORDAT FELL

LONDON, February 4,

The progress of our forces in East Africa was described in London today. It was slalcd lhat'British troops operating from, tlie Sudan have now penetrated some 40 or 50 miles into Abyssinia and are now in direct communication with Abyssinian patriots. This means that we can reinforce Haile Selassie's patriot army at will. The Italian retreat from Agordat continues, and our troops arc near Keren. From Barentu our troops are pursuing the enemy in a southeaster,! y direction.

In Abyssinia, east of Gallabat, our advance on the road from Metcmma to Gondar continues.

A Nairobi communique says that Imperial forces operating from Kenya are making pood progress along the front. British forces are showing v themselves more than a match for the enemy, and our casualties arc very slight.

The attack on Agordat was carried out by Indian troops and a famous Highland regiment. Bitter fighting took place among the hills and driedup river beds outside the town for two days and two nights before the town was captured at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning. Seven hundred Italians were killed and many prisoners taken. The Highlanders moved round to the south of Agordat and lay fo>r a whole day*, without water in the sun'before capturing a ridge on the following night. The Italians began to shell the ridge and also prepared defensive positions I between the ridge and Agordat. This ridge was captured by r regiment supported by a company of armoured fighting vehicles whose first appearance on the front undoubtedly startled the Italians. Indian troops captured two hills at the point of the bayonet, and the Italian garrison at Agordat escaped, allowing the victorious Indian troops to take possession.

A British officer entered Agordat and found the telephone exchange still intact. The Italian operator at Barentu was trying to get Agordat on the line and was unpleasantly surprised when he was answered in English.

A message from Leopoldville. in the Belgian Congo, says that Belgian troops have already left for the front in

Africa