Mogadiscio, Somaliland Capital, In British Hands

Northern Advocate, 27 February 1941, Page 5

Mogadiscio , Somaliland Capital, In British Hands

i t ßritish Official Wireless.]

(Received II a.m.) RUGBY, February 26

JT IS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AT NAROBI THAT WEST AFRICAN TROOPS OCCUPIED MOGADISCIO YESTERDAY. Mogadiscio is a poor port, although the principal one of Italian Somaliland,.of which it is the capital. It was used in the Italian campaign against Abyssinia as a base for troops operating from Somaliland. The town was taken by advanced forces of the troops operating along the coast. No further details of the operations are so far to hand. The capture of the capital reduces the last of the important posts in Italian Somaliland. In Eritrea a column is advancing towards Keren. When last heard of it was still advancing, beyond Kubkub. Further south-the advance continues.

Land Mines

But here, no spectacular advance can be expected, partly becaues of the nature of the ground and partly because the Italians in retreat are making use of land mines which take time to clear away.

These mines are the outcome of tank tactics and are designed to crack the tracks of tanks; thereby rendering them useless. They were used with considerable effect south of Benghazi against Italian tanks endeavouring to break through the British, cordon which cut off the retreating enemy. No fresh news comes from Libya except “successful defence” of the Italians at Jarrabub’. Military circles point out that this place is not the subject of an attack. ' Half Eritrea Taken In North Africa the latest advances gjve the British control of half of Eritrea. All roads along /which the Italians are attempting to concentrate for a decisive stand in Eritrea, are being subjected to heavy and constant bombing by the Royal Air Force. The thrusts from .the west are progressing and leaflets which are being dropped each day, are adding new centres of revolt behind the Italian lines in Abyssinia!' Race With Weather Apai’t from retreating and isolated units, the Italian line runs from Keren to Lake Tsana, •. Debra Markos and Addis Ababa. . . . Every possible ounce of punch is being put into the British drive for the purpose of racing the rainy season, which may be expected within four to six weeks, and is likely to hamper or even prevent large scale operations for six months. Battle Has Been Won It is no exaggeration to say that the battle of Italian Somaliland has been won and it is'merely a question of time before the reduction of Mogadiscio, the main sea port, and the occupation of a much larger area eastward of Juba. This was the earlier summing up of “The Times” Nairobi correspondent, who adds that the campaign is progressing at a remarkable pace. British columns are strikign out in many directions' in a bold co-ordinated plan. The occupation of Moyale, on the Kenya-Abyssinian frontier draws attention to the importance of a drive from the north-west of Kenya, resulting in the occupation of Mega, the success of which has obviously weakened the whole Italian position along the southern border.