8000 Prisoners In Dessye Battle

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 106, 6 May 1941, Page 7

8000 Prisoners In Dessye Battle

IMPORTANT VICTORY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 1. "Prisoners captured during and following the occupation of Dessye, Italian stronghold in Abyssinia, total 5550 Italians and 2400 colonial troops,” says to-day’s communique from British General Headquarters at Cairo. “A number of senior officers are included, and we have also taken 93 guns. "Operations to link up our northern and southern columns converging on tha defensive position held by the enemy in the region of Amba Alagi are continuing,” the communiquo adds, "although progress nas a#ain been held up by many road demolitions. "In the southern area, our pursuit continues, and many move prisoners have been taken, while desertions among Italian colonial troops are daily increasing.” The Italian dead in the Dessye battla amount to 400. The town was captured by South African infantry, supported by armoured cars and artillery. The Italians had stored up thousands of tons of fuel and provisions, and had considered that they would be able to hold the fortress for at least three months; but, in a great achievement, the South African forces obtained its surrender in ten days. A Nairobi message speaks of the sustained speed of the advance made by the African troops. A distance of 1800 miles was covered in less than 60 days. The operations culminating in the capture of Dessye are further described in a Nairobi communique, which says: i “The capture of Dessye was a considerable victory. It was evident from tha defensive positions and guns captured that the Italians had determined to make strong resistance in their position at Gomboltcha Pass, which was well dug and heavily wired and was covered by 20 guns, all of which were taken by the British forces, j "The position at Dessye was well suit--1 ed for defence on all sides, as it included 17 separate areas supported by seven forts and numerous strongpoints. I "When the final British attack was I taking place, military officers and civil ' officials in a white-flagged car approached from the enemy lines, and, after some parleying, unconditional surrender was agreed upon.” When the British forces occupied Dessye, it was found that the enemy commander, the Duka of Aosta, had apparently put too much faith in the ability of his forces to hold the city. He had left in such a hurry that his personal belongings, contained in 40 trunks, had been abandoned. To-day’s R.A.F. Middle East communique says: "In Abysinia yesterday and the previous day, the RA.F. and the South African Air Force machine-gun-ned enemy motor transport near Assab and in the Sciasciamana area. Considerable damage and casualties were caused. An enemy camp north ol Maji was bombed and machine-gunned.”