EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 5

EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN

KEREN OPERATIONS Enemy Reinforced [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 9. A Cairo communique states: In Eritrea although the enemy has reinforced his troops and is holding positions about Keren, our operations in this area continue to develop satisfactorily. Further south, we remain in close pursuit of the disorganised Italian forces, which are making their way over difficult country towards Ar-

reza. In Abyssinia, our progress along the Gondar Road has been temporarily slowed up by extensive minefields, which are now being cleared. Intensive patrol activity in Italian Somaliland has still further deepened the areas of our penetration.

ITALIAN REPORT . LONDON, February 9. An Italian communique states: Enemy attacks in the Keren sector, also on the Somali border, were repulsed. The enemy attacked aerodromes in the Aegean Islands, but there were no casualties and the damage was slight. Keren Garrison REPULSED BY BRITISH [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received February 10, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. While Italian civilian refugees are hastily scurrying from Keren to Asmara, strong British artillery and air attacks continue to be made against that stronghold. The Italians blew up two hundred yards of a gorge forming an entrance to the town. They then launched a counter-attack against the flank of the British forces. They were repulsed with heavy losses, especially among a brigade which was recently brought from Addis Ababa. The Sudan defence force, eastward of Barentu, has penetrated for fifty miles. It is still collecting prisoners and material from scattered brigades. A daring British fighter plane’s action over Asmara resulted in at least three defending planes crashing. Information brought by an Abyssinian patriot resulted in R.A.F. planes dealing a smashing blow at a secret Italian aerodrome in woods near Gondar. R.A.F. planes dived almost to the treetops and machine-gunned hidden planes setting fire to several Caproni bombers. (Received February 10, 8 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The “Daily Express” correspondent at Agordat states: For the first time, white Italian troops on the Keren front are deserting to our lines including non-commissioned officers from the famous Bersaglieri.

MR FRASER’S MESSAGE WELLINGTON, February 10. Mr Fraser has sent the following message to General Wavell: “Congratulations from the Government and people of New Zealand on the capture of Benghazi. This is indeed a fitting clirriax to the brilliant campaign in Cyrenaica. The continued success of the forces under your command fills ,us with unbounded enthusiasm."