AFRICAN ROUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20477, 11 February 1941, Page 5

AFRICAN ROUT

ITALIAN FORCES THOUSANDS YIELD NINETEEN GENERALS WHITES DESERTING BRITONS ON RED SEA PROGRESS IN ERITREA (Klee. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Feb. 11, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10. Reports from Benghazi stale that Italian prisoners were pouring in throughout the day as the British forces continue the mopping-up operations. At least 10,000 prisoners have already been taken. Seven generals are included. So far in North Africa IP Italian generals and one admiral have been captured. The Daily Express correspondent at Agordat states that for the first time white Italian troops on the Keren front are deserting to the British lines, including non-commissioned officers of the famous Bersaglieri. While Italian civilian refugees are hastily scurrying from Keren, to Asmara, strong British artillery and air attacks continue against the stronghold. The Italians blew up 200 yards of a gorge forming the entrance to the town and launched a counter-attack against the flank of the British forces, but were repulsed with heavy Tosses, especially in a brigade recently brought from Addis Ababa. The Sudan defence force eastward of Barentu has penetrated 50 miles and is still collecting prisoners and material from scattered brigades. Thrust in Coastal Area. The British Official Wireless Service states that the advance by British troops in the coastal area of northern Eritrea, which has not hitherto been mentioned as a theatre of operations, is announced in to-day’s Cairo communique, which reports the occupation of, the small market town of Karora, which stands on the Sudan-Eritrea frontier, some 40 miles from the Red Sea, and of Marsa Tachai, a small village on the Red Sea, with an anchorage some 13 miles down the coast from the Sudan frontier. The full text of the communique slates: “In Libya, the clearance of areas up to El Agheila is proceeding satisfactorily. Advancing from the north, our troops in Eritrea occupied Marsa Tachai and Karora. Meanwhile the pressure on the enemy positions about Keren continues. Advance in Abyssinia “In Abyssinia South African troops advanced into southern Abyssinia in the Hobok area to a distance of 50 miles inside Italian territory, capturing quantities of war material. Hobok lies to the east of Lake Steffani. In Italian Somaliland intensive patrol. activity continues.”

Daring British fighter action over Asmara resulted in at least three defending planes crashing. Information brought by an Abyssinian patriot resulted in the Royal Air Force dealing a smashing blow at a secret Italian aerodrome in woods near Gondar. The Royal Air Force dived almost to the treetops and machine-gunned hidden planes, setting fire to several Caproni bombers.

The support given by the Royal Air Force to the ground forces in Eritrea and Abyssinia continues relentlessly. Yesterday’s Royal Air Force Middle East communique stated: “Aircraft continue to harass the retreating Italians in Eritrea. Enemy motor transport, troops, gun emplacements and other military objectives in and around Keren were repeatedly attacked throughout February 7-8. At Karora, which is on the EritreaSudan border near the coast, an enemy concentration was bombed. Italian Planes Destroyed

“Further south, at Alomata, in Abyssinia, British aircraft attacked a landing ground and destroyed eight CAl33s. South of Lake Tsana, British aircraft attacked a camp near Danghila, causing considerable damage. Landing grounds near Dessie were also raided, the bombs falling among hangars and buildings. From all these operations only one of our aircraft is missing.

“Eleven prisoners have been captured from Capronis shot down near Dif on February 3. It is now confirmed that one CR32 was also destroyed in the same engagement. “Malta was raided by the enemy on the night of February 7-8 and a number of bombs were dropped. There were no Royal Air Force casualties or damage. In a communique of February 3 it was stated that one British fighter was missing. This aircraft has now returned to the base.”

“PAINFUL BLOW”

LOSS OF BENGHAZI ADMISSION IN ROME (Reed. Feb. 11, 9 a.m.) ROME, Feb. 10. Signor Ansaldo, in an article in II TelegralT, predicts that Marshal Graziani will withdraw his entire army to Tripolitania. I-Ie adds: “The Italians will there build strong coastal defence works. The evacuation of Benghazi was a’ painful blow. Sending reinforcements from Tripoli is easier said than done. The best thing is to hold all the available forces in Tripolitania and tend others from Italy.”

PRAISE FROM EGYPT

BRITISH SUCCESSES (Tlritisli Official Wireless.) Reed. 11.15 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 10. The Egyptian Government has asked His Majesty’s Ambassador in Cairo to transmit to the British Government warm congratulations on the capture of Benghazi.