Italian Force at Amba Alagi

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 117, 20 May 1941, Page 7

Italian Force at Amba Alagi

RESISTANCE IN ABYSSINIA

ALMOST ENDED

LONDON, May 19. The Italian Viceroy of Abyssinia, the Duke of Aosta, who is also Oommander-in-Ohief of the Italian troops in Abyssinia, is to surrender tomorrow. The official communique announcing this news was issued ; from Cairo. It stated that after allowing" the Italian forces in jpAmba Alagi one full day in which to collect their wounded, frthe formal surrender of the whole of the force in that area f^ould take place today. I It is estimated that the prisoners will number 7000, together with considerable quantities of guns and material. \ It has been further arranged, in compliance with his urgent that the Duke of Aosta should be the last to leave, so fthe Duke, accompanied by General Trezzani and all the Duke's / personal staff officers, will surrender at noon tomorrow.

is (expected In London that his Surrender will lead to the rapid colfeapse of the other Italian armies in |?y>yssinia. Italian troops still reinain m the Gondar and Jimma areas, 'tind today's Italian communique claims that resistance in these regions is continuing. The Rome radio announced that the Duke of Aosta had sent a message to Signor Mussolini stating that as it was impossible to take care of the wounded and as the situation was steadily deteriorating and resistance could not continue much longer, and in view of the. serious losses sustained, he had deemed it fit to ask the enemy for an honourable surrender. His request had been accepted. The Duke thanked Signor Mussolini for his encouragement, approval, and confidence. The war was not yet over, he added, and they would soon return to that land which had been drenched with Italian blood. In his reply, Signor Mussolini said that the Duke and his soldiers had fought heroically and resisted to the limits of human endurance. The Ital- i lan people had been close to them in thought, and they shared the same view of the future. It is pointed out in London that the occupation of Amba Alagi will be of the utmost importance, as it controls ■ the northern and southern communications of Abyssinia. The Duke of Absta's surrender will mean the liberation of the first of the long list of Axis-controlled countries. Today's Cairo communique, referring to the other operations in Africa, states that units of the Sudan defence force, assisted by patriots, have captured an important post in the Gondar sector, and that operations are proceeding satisfactorily. In southern Abyssinia, British troops have captured an important road junction 35 miles south of Sciaciamanna, and havei also1 taken 800 prisoners; including two colonels, a number of staff officers, two guns, -and two armoured cars. In other sectors the general advance $3 continuing despite heavy rain. ]