DIFFICULT TASKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 4 June 1941, Page 6

DIFFICULT TASKS

ARMY IN ABYSSINIA

COPING WITH FLOODS PROBLEMS SURMOUNTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY. June 3. Working up to their necks in rising Abyssinian rivers, with currents running more than six miles an hour, engineers of the Imperial Army combated floods in southern Abyssinia and defeated the efforts of the Italians to stay the advance by bridge demolitions.

A Nairobi message states that bridges were rebuilt, although in many cases the piles were turned down to- below the surface of the water, which rose with great rapidity after every downpour. Engineers were putting up a landing stage at a small town in southern Abyssinia when the river rose. A laconic telegram sent to headquarters stated: “Compelled to discontinue work as the stage is 20ft. below water.”

A ferry cable broke when a vehicle laden with stores was being transported across a river. Sappers were thrown in the water. One who could not swim was rescued by his comrades. Eventually a new bridge was launched, but at midnight there was a torrential downpour. A flood of debris was hurled against the bridge. The water went over it and the suspension cable parted. The bridge went off down stream, leaving eight me n marooned on the other side. When daylight came the storm ended and an officer navigated a frail flatbottomed boat across the swollen river to rescue his men.