Italians Advance Into Somaliland

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

Italians Advance Into Somaliland

Three Points Occupied

British Delaying Forces Inflict Losses United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, August 7. "On Mondaiy, an Italian column occupied Zeila, on the coast of British Somaliland near the border with French Somaliland, without opposition," states a British communique issued at Cairo to-day. "On the same day, Hargeiaa, in British Somaliland, was captured by a strong force including tanks, artillery, machine-guns, and aircraft. Our delaying force fell back after inflicting severe casualties, including the loss of three tanks, on the enemy. Our casualties were slight.

“During the morning of Tuesday, Oadweina Tras occupie' by the enemy with infantry, guns, and African troops estimate at 2000. A small motorised force of the Somaliland Camel Corps harassed the enemy without themselves suffering any loss. “In the Western Desert" (the Libyan front), “some enemy movements were reported. Otherwise it is quiet. “In the Sudan and Kenya, there is nothing to report."

The British Protectorate of Somaliland has been administered by the Colonial Office since 1905. It lies between Trench and Italian Somaliland and adjoin, Abyssinia on the south. Only the coast strip, where are Berbera. Zeila, and Bulhar, the chief towns, is effectively occupied; the hinterland is an arid steppe. At some points the rugged cliffs, furrowed by deep ravines, approach vi* s ** to the see; elsewhere the hills leave a considerable maritime plain between their base and the shore line. South of Berbera are two ranges "•"’T parallel with the coast They increase in elevation landwards, culminating in the Inner end loftier Golls range, about 9500 feet hieh its’ crest cowed with mountain cedar. ‘“E I** 1 ** - d>t * s ’ and *"*" are imported; skin, hides, cattle, sheep, Sttoi 3OoJM m e3tPorted - Its “ 68 ' 000 W«e ™l«. a°d the popu-