SKIES SWEPT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 5

SKIES SWEPT

EMPIRE AIRMEN ITALIANS VANISH TOLL IN EAST AFRICA DESTRUCTION OF PLANES LAND FORCES PROGRESS (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 1, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. . British air force units have swept the Italians from the Eritrean skies. South African planes are blasting the Italians from the roads of retreat from Somaliland to Addis Ababa, and British and Allied land forces are hourly bringing near the fall of Italian East Africa. Troops from Kubkub are 15 miles from Keren, after capturing Kelemit, 30 miles north of Keren, and sending back a column to occupy Nacfa, which the Italians had abandoned. Fifteen thousand Italians holding Keren will soon face the alternatives of encirclement <3r retreat under heavy fire from the flanks and from the air, but before the northern British forces reach Keren the complete encirclement must pass through a gorge flanked on one side by the 6000 ft Ghelende mountains and on the other by the 5000 ft. Mulot mountain. Vigorous Advance A Cairo communique states: “In Eritrea as a result of its vigorous advance the northern force is now in contact with enemy troops holding covering positions north of Keren. Meanwhile, by local activity, we have improved our position west of the town. “In Abyssinia in face of increasing Patriotic pressure, the Italian evacuation of military posts in the Gojjam continues. In Italian Somaliland operations in all sectors are developing successfully.” The Royal Air Force is supporting the army on all fronts in East Africa and has effectively attacked stores, troop concentrations, and supply dumps ,in the Keren area. It has bombed a large transport yard at Assab, raided ammunition stores and other objectives at Massawa, and attacked a railway bridge at Hawash. All the British planes returned. In four weeks the South Africans alone have claimed 80 Italian planes. 50 being destroyed on the ground ana 30 shot down. The Italians have lost 25 planes in the past three days. Six Brigades Broken The bulk of six brigades have been shattered in Somaliland. Three brigade commanders have been taken prisoner. The road to Abyssinia lies open to the conquerors and also the road to British Somaliland, where only a thin isolated garrison remains. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: “In Italian East Africa support was given by units of the Royal Air Force and South African air force to Imperial troops on various fronts. Enemy troop positions south of Keren were bombed and machine-gunned, causing considerable damage and casualties. Other aircraft machine-gunned the Zula aerodrome, destroying large transport aircraft. The railway track between Keren and Asmara was bombed. Several direct hits were registered on a large motor transport park and repair shops at Dessie. Yesterday bomber aircraft of the South African Air Force raided barracks at Bur Acaba and warehouses at Ischia Baidoa. Several buildings were set on fire. Aircraft engaged in offensive reconnaissance beyond Bulo Burti, north of Mogadiscio, and bombed lorries on a road. The bombing of motor transport was also carried out in the Yavello and Neghelli areas. * “Photographs taken during a reconnaissance over Tripoli show that as a result of the raid on the night of February 24—25 two power station buildings were completely burnt out.” A Nairobi message states that the British divisional commander in the Juba area sent his men to battle with a stirring message as follows: "We have a chance to share in Mr. Winston Churchill’s policy of tearing Signor Mussolini’s Roman Empire to tatters. Our campaign if relentlessly conducted has every likelihood of starting the complete collapse of the Italians in East Africa. Fight fearlessly. Shoot low. Move quickly. Go >to it with high hearts and the enemy will crack.”