Big Scale Battle

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 5

Big Scale Battle

Western Flank Action by Italians V \ ETHIOPIANS’ NIGHTRAIDING TACTICS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. ADDIS ABABA, February 20. A desperate battle is reported to be raging between the forces of Ras Kassa and Ras Seyoum and the Blackshirts on the advancing west flank. The Italians attacked first, using heavy mountain field artillery, but the Ethiopians are reported to be holding their own. They do not venture from their caves and dugouts in the day-time, hut have per- ' fected night-raiding tactics. Patrols creep up to the Italian lines attacking with swords and bayonets. The most violent encounters occurred along the river Maiueri, which is a tributary of the Takkaze. No Respite for Abyssinians MANY HAVE THROWN DOWN THEIR ARMS. JOK.. Received Friday, 7 p.m. ROME, Feb. 21. A communique announces that the First Army Corps has resumed ,tho advance southward. Tho Air Force has not given the enemy any respite. General Badoglio’s objective is now Ekbaalazi, a natural fortress eleven thousand feet high, barring access to the motor road to Addis Ababa which, however, is 250 miles distant in a straight line. General Badoglio is extending operations laterally and has occupied Ambu Damascal, Mount Bamba, and North Gaela controlling the road from Tembien southward, further threatening the retreat of Ras Kassa.

Ras Seyoum is also reported to have reached Anseba, seventeen miles east of Scelicot, and has thus occupied the mountain range marking the boundary of the great Abyssinian plateau dominating the Danakil Plain. Three hundred ’planes are harassing the Abyssinians as a preliminary to a drive toward Harar and Jijiga. Tho Daily Mail’s Acmara correspondent reports that air photographs show that Mulugheta’s troops are struggling southward. Many have thrown down their arms ana the columns are apparently disintegrating. Reforming of Annies MORALE REMAINS GOOD LONDON, Feb. 20. A Times copyright message from Addis Ababa states that official silence is still maintained" regarding the Italian. claim of a victory on February 16, but unofficially it is stated that nearly the whole of Ras Mulugeta’s army has been ro-formed south-west of its original position directly south of the Italian Third Corps, which is reported to have occupied the village of Gaela, and to be moving westwards towards the Takkaze river, apparently aiming to sever Ras Kassa’s communications with Gondar, whence he draws his supplies. If the Italians are attempting such a move the Emperor will probably order Ras Kassa to movo southwards from Abi Addi, while Ras Mulugcta advances northwards toward Antalo and Gaela for the purpose of closing the narrow avenue along which the Italians’ communications run through roadless country. Whether or not Ras Mulugeta’s recovery is true, Dessie is not greatly troubled by the reported Italian success, and newspaper correspondents there have been ordered to preparo to depart northwards, which would be unlikely if they may meet routed armies. Colonel Holt, British Attache to Abyssinia, expressed the opinion at Dessie that uneasiness is not felt regarding tho northern front, while other observers declare that the Abyssinians’ morale remains good. The armies of Dedjazmatch Wodaj, Dedjazmatch Wodaju, Ras Kabede and Bitouided

Makonncn, totalling over 100,000 men, are well fed, equipped, and still facing the Italians.