RACE TO ADDIS ABABA

Evening Star, Issue 23834, 14 March 1941, Page 7

RACE TO ADDIS ABABA

THE ABYSSINIAN CAMPAIGN ITALIANS OH THE RUN ATTACKED ON THREE FRONTS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 12. At point after point in Abyssinia the Imperial and patriot forces are steadily beating back Mussolini’s troops. The latest reports from Central Abyssinia emphasise that the Italians who are fleeing from Burye to Debra Markos on the road to Addis Ababa did not attempt to defend the crossing of the Temohe River or even destroy the bridge across it. This is good news for the British and the patriot forces, because the river offered a natural defence where the Italians might have made a stand. The pursuers hope to reach the main body of retreating Italians before it reaches the safety of Debra Markos. Many deserters are still' coming in. What was once a force of nearly 8,000 men can now be of a strength of only a little over 3,000, of whom 400 are either sick or wounded. The Italian commander is at present transporting these ineffectives in lorries, which are piled high with stretchers, but deserters, say that these will be abandoned if the patriots show signs of catching up. The Imperial forces threating the Italian stronghold at Ososa, on the west to east road to Addis Ababa, are thrusting along dusty camel tracks and sometimes through elephant grass. advance on harar. The chief competitors with the patriots in the race to Addis Ababa are the South Africans, whose mechanised column is tearing across the Ogaden Plateau towards Harar. They are at present advancing faster than the Abyssinians, who are confronted with difficult terrain, also the fortifications at Debra Markos. The South Africans are meeting no resistance at present, but may have to fight at Jigjiga, where it is estimated there are 10,000 troops, and at Harar and Diredawa. The third team in the race, which is now operating against Asosa, has only an outsider’s chance, as it is still confronted with 375 miles of difficult country. IN THE BACKDOOR. Replying to a question as to the possibility of enemy resistance at Jigjiga, a military spokesman at Cairo said: “ Our forces ai;e making a back-door entry. The Italians planned their defences so as to face Djibuti. They did not expect an offensive from the south. As a result of the British advance through Italian Somaliland, Mussolini’s army in that region is not even a thing of shreds and patches. After the sbraightout loss of 31,000 troops, the remnants of this army are retreating in two divergent lines. This army may be disintegrated before reaching its destination. Fewer than 500 men, most of whom are whites, escaped northward.” FAMOUS FIGHTING FORCE RECORD OF KING'S AFRICAN RIFLES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 12. A survey of the fine work of the King’s African Rifles, the famous fighting force recruited from all the British African territories, including Nyasaland, shows that the regiment has been represented on all the African fronts since the outbreak. Its engagements included El Wak in June, the defence of Moyale in July, and patrol skirmishes at Dodec at the end of that month. Then came the evacuation of British Somaliland in August and the retreat the following month .from Buna, after which there was much patrol work. The regiment was always conspicuous, bearing the brunt on all fronts from Turkanjo to the coast. When the tide turned they led the offensive against Italian Somaliland, capturing Linoi and many posts on the desert road to Afmadu. They even fought on water and in dhows and took Deiserpente Island, which controls Kismayu Harbour. Forming the north claw of pincers movements, they cut the Gelib-Brava road, accomplishing 45 miles in two days and a-half through a solid wall of brush. They captured many prisoners at Buda. after which they rushed to the coast with the Nigerians, effected the release of Bri-

tish seamen at Merca, and took a further 1,000 prisoners. West of Lake Rudolf they recently captured Todenyang and British and Italian Namarpoth. Individual 'feats of heroism are numerous, and the courage and cheerfulness of these native African soldiers have been one of the features, of the campaign. SOMALILAND ADVANCE AIR GO-OPERATION ON VARIOUS FRONTS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 13. (Received March 14, at 11 a.m.) A Cairo communique states: In Libya, Eritrea, and Abyssinia there is nothing of importance to report. In Italian Somaliland our advance continues on all sectors. An 11. A.F. communique states: In Eritrea on March 11 South African fighter aircraft carried out a number of machine-gun attacks against ground targets. Enemy aircraft on the aerodrome at Asmara, hangars at Decamere, and a number of petrol dumps in the area were among the objectives attacked, goods trains on the Keren-

Asmara line were machine-gunned and damaged. Bomber aircraft also attacked objectives at Assab. Malta Was raided during the night’ of March 11-12. Some damage was caused. Although there were no R.A.F. casualties, a few civilians were killed or wounded. From all the operations our aircraft returned safely. PATRIOTS PUSHING OK C9-OPERATIOH WITH BRITISH LONDON, March 13. (Received March 14, at 2 p.m.) Thursday night’s official communique, issued in Nairobi, states: It is now confirmed that patriot forces have occupied Yavello, 70 miles north of Mega. The patriots are following up the enemy’* retreat in co-operation with pur forces from Dolo. In Italian Somaliland British forces surprised the enemy at Daghabur, a post 100 miles south of Jig* jiga, and captured some prisoners and lorries in which they were preparing to leave. An Arab dhow approached Mogadishu yesterday with a cargo for the Italian garrison and attempted to escape when it realised that the port was in British hands. With the co-operation of the Royal Air Force it was quickly intercepted and captured. ISLAND OF RHODES ANOTHER NIGHT ATTACK (By Radio.) ■ LONDON, March 13. British bombers raided the island of Rhodes for the third night in succession. Aerodromes were bomibed and large fires started. All our plane* returned safely fro® these