IN ABYSSINIA

Evening Star, Issue 23836, 17 March 1941, Page 8

IN ABYSSINIA

BRITISH TROOPS PUSHING ON AIR OPERATIONS AROUND KEREN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 14. In addition to announcing the capture by Abyssinian patriots of Yavell in Abyssinia which was reported officially from Nairobi last night, a Cairo communique states: “In Libya and Eritrea there is no change to report. British troops in Abyssinia occupied Asosa and Andare, and are now advancing along the Mendi road. Continuing their successful advance from Burye, during which they continued to inflict serious casualties on the retreating enemy, the patriot forces have now reached the vicinity of Debra Marcos. TRIPOLI RAIDED. The naval base and main quay at Tripoli were heavily raided by the R.A.P. Bombs fell along the entire length of the quayside, causing fires and one very large explosion near the lighthouse. The road junction and military buildings at Zliten (near the coast of Bast Tripoli) were also bombed. There has been considerable air activity in and round Keren in Eritrea. Motor transports, a railway, road bridges, and enemy troop and gun positions were bombed and machinegunned. *ln Abyssinia aircraft of the South African Air Force continued to support our advancing troops. From all these operations all our machines returned safely. ADVANCING ON ALL SECTORS (British Official Wireleu.) RUGBY, March 16. (Received March 17, at 11 a.m.) A communique issued from headquarters in Cairo states: “In Libya and Eritrea there is nothing to report. British forces operating in Abyssinia from Italian Somaliland continue to advance on all sectors. ”- ON ROAD TO JIJIGA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 16. (Received March 17, at 10.20 a.m.) A Nairobi communique states that Imperial troops penetrated far on the road, to Jijiga and along the Strada Reale road from Mogadishu to Addis Ababa via Neghelli. Operations are continuing. BELGIAN TROOPS IN ACTION (By Radio.) LONDON, xMarch 17. A Cairo communique announces that Belgian troops are now fighting side by side with the Imperial troops in Abyssinia. ENEMY HARASSED FROM AIR i * TROOPS AND GUN POSITIONS BOMBED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY,. March 16. (Received March 17, at 11.25 a.m.) An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: —It as now definitely confirmed, that in the, air combat on March H seven enemy aircraft were destroyed, instead of five as originally announced. On March 13 the total of the enemy aircraft lost in the battle in the Kelcyra area was 15 instead of 14. The pilots of two R.A.F, aircraft were seen escaping by parachute during a successful engagement on March 14. They reported unharmed to their units. There was cohsiderable air activity in the Keren region of Eritrea yesterday and the previous night enemy troops and gun positions were bombed and machine-gunned, while motor transport on the Keren-Asrnara road was so harassed by air attack that it was compelled to halt. A train of from 30 to 40 trucks was machine-gunued and set on fire. It was still burning fiercely 2i hours afterwards, with frequent explosions. From all of these operations all our machines returned safely. An official communique issued from headquarters at Nairobi states that the South African Air .Force destroyed, eight Italian aircraft at Diredawa yesterday morning. Three enemy fighters, comprising a CR 42 and two DR 43’s, were shot clown in aerial combat, and two S 79 bombers and three Romeo R 137 reconnaissance aircraft were attacked on the ground and burned out. AMERICAN WOOL SUPPLIES ADEQUATE FCR ALL REQUIREMENTS WASHINGTON, March 16. (Received March 17, at 8 a.m.) Senator Worth-Clark, in a broadcast speech, said that available supplies of wool in 1941 in North and South America, with the available stocks on hand, exceeded 1,000,000,0001 b, which would be adequate for all civilian plus military requirements during the year. He pointed out that 250,000,0001 b of Australian wool were now stored in the United States, which reserve would meet any likely contingencies.