ENEMY DEMORALISED

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1941, Page 5

ENEMY DEMORALISED

ERITREAN CAMPAIGN Advance to Keren [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 6. A British Cairo communique says: “The British in Eritrea are now closing in on strongly held Italian positions about Keren. Further south, Italian forces which had withdrawn westward from Barentu are being vigorously pressed in the whole area. So far about fifteen hundred prisoners, . mostly Italian, had been taken, with the further capture of military material of all descriptions.”

i A R.A.F. Middle East communique ■ says: In Italian East Africa, full 1 support was given to the Army in its . successful operation on the various fronts. Two further enemy fighters were captured at Barentu, and • one was shot down. At Keren, dive- • attacks were made on gun positions in th e hills and on the road east of the town. An Italian communique says: Fierce lighting occurred in the Keren sector, yesterday, both air forces participating. British Closing In (Received February 7, 5.5 p.m.) I LONDON, February 6. Without waiting to collect booty from a previous string of victories. British forces on Thursday night were closing in round Keren, which is strategically, the most important town in Eritrea and the capture of which will j give the British control of three-quar-I ters of Eritrea, and bring the fall ot I Ashmara within sight. South-east-wards, the garrison which abandoned Barentu, estimated at three and ahalf brigades, appear to have been lost or dispersed round the road on which they are retreating to Adigrat. Sudanese troops, who so far have been in the forefront of every action in this campaign, are pursuing, harryJ ing and capturing sections of this isol- 1 ated army. ' ABYSSINIANS ASSIST BRITISH. (Received February 7, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. Fear of Abyssinians, who are now in full liaison with the British forces in Walkait area, has been responsible for a large number of white Italians surrendering. Capture of motor transport is helping British authorities to solve problems of feeding troops over lengthening lines of communications.

Italians Foodless

SURRENDERS NEAR KEREN. (Received February 7, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON February 6. “The Times” special correspondent near Keren says: Only a few ot what once was a fine body of men, but is now a ragged, miserable rabble, are capable of putting up a 1 fight. TfTey are only too glad to surrender in order to obtain food, water and rest. The total of prisoners is over fifteen thousand. It is certain that little of the Brigade will ever reach the Italian lines. They will be without any equipment, guns, ammunition, food or water. One of the most valuable captures is 150 vehicles, most of which are serviceable.

The “Daily Mail’s” Agordat correspondent states: The Italian position in Eritrea is so desperate that three battalions of Savoy Grenadiers rushed from Addis Ababa to Keren in efforts to stop the British advance. Italian authorities, as a bribe to the chieftains, authorised the enslavement of all Abyssinian patriots captured. Reports from Abyssinia' indicate tne growing might of patriot forces. Italian prestige has fallen so low that Dedjasmatch Woldeyeis, who formerly as a pro-Fascist Chief, was sent by Fascists to pacify the Maji area has gone over to the patriots. Woldeyeis already is in action against the enemy, of whom his satellites killed ten and wounded thirteen. OTHER EAST AFRICAN FRONTS. LONDON, February 6. A British communique issued at Cairo says:—"ln the various operations based on the Sudan, British casualties have been light. Good progress is being made in the British advance along Gondar road in Abyssinia, despite numerous minefields left by the enemy to cover the retreat. In Italian Somaliland, our penetration in all sectors across the enemy frontier is daily becoming deeper. So far, the enemy has sustained casualties disproportionate to our own, which have been negligible.” A R.A.F. Middle East communique states. At Negasit, bombs were dropped on motor transport, with considerable effect. Several fires were caused among the buildings and motor transport vehicles, ns a result of a raid on Dessie. During yesterday, our fighters maintained offensive patrols, but no engagements resulted. From all these operations, all our aircraft returned safely. ITALIAN CLAIM. VESSEL SUNK. LONDON. February 6. An Italian communique states: A submarine sank the merchantman Urla.