FURTHER CAPTURES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 144, 20 May 1941, Page 5

FURTHER CAPTURES

• EXPECTATION IN LONDON. (British Official Wireless.) (Roc. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, May 19. Great importance is attached to the capture ot Amba Alagi, not only because it is very heavily defended but because of its strategical position lying across lines of communication. Much interest attaches to the effect of the surrender on the small forces of Italians still resisting elsewhere. The Duke of Aosta was the Italian Commander-in-Chief in. East Africa, but the situation has undergone a swift change in recent weeks. The Duke tried to hold the high ground, hoping that the heavy rains would bog the British in the low land, but the brilliant operations which have since occurred necessitated rapid changes ol plan bv the enemy, and it is understood the Duke split his forces into three parts, which probably have since been operating under independent commands. the Duke retaining the most important of them. If the surrender of Amba Alagi were followed by the very quick collapse ot the other enemy forces it would cause little surprise in London. There are other Italian forces in the neighbourhood of Gondar, westward of Amba Alagi, and Jinima, south-west of Addis Ababa. A month ago it was reliably estimated that there were 22.000 enemy troops at Jinima, but to what extent this number has been reduced by desertions, casualties, and the capture of prisoners -is not definitely known. In Gondar, which is practically surrounded, there are probably about 8000 Italians and a few thousand native troops According to a Press Association message it is authoritatively stated that the Duke of Aosta has accepted the terms of surrender. The British Forces are due to take over Antba Alagi and the garrison to-day. It was later announced that a Rome communique admitted the surrender of Amba Alagi and that the Duke had U'cn taken prisoner. Britain had accorded the gat rison full military honours.

The troops captured at A’.'iba Alagi include Savoy Grenadier, and batteries of artillery. FRESH SUCCESSES.

I Units or the Sudan Defence Force, assisted by patriots, have captured an important position in the Gondar sector, inflit ling aciiotis damage on the enemy. Operations arc proceeding satisfactorily, according to a communique. In the southern areas our troops captured Dalle, an important road junction 35 miles south of Sciascianianuii, on Friday. As a result of this successful operation we captured 800 prisoners, including two colonels and a number ot staff officers, two guns, and two armoured cars.

In other sectors our general advance is continuing despite heavy rain.