Rats Leaving Sinking Ship As Massawa’s Doom Nears

Northern Advocate, 3 April 1941, Page 6

Rats Leaving Sinking Ship As Massawa’s Doom Nears

(Received 2 p.m.)

RUGBY, April 2

THE FALL OF MASSAWA, ERITREA’S MAIN SEAPORT, HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED, BUT RECOGNITION BY THE AXIS POWERS, THAT ITS CAPTURE IS IMMINENT IS DISCLOSED BY THE CONTENTS OF TWO ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUES ISSUED THIS AFTERNOON.

Tin* first says: “The Comm-ander-in-Ohief, East Indies, reports that an Italian destroyer of the Pant.hera class, 1526 tons,, has been sunk by aircraft. Royal Air Force reconnaissance aircraft reported that the Italian destroyer bad left Massawa. Sire was located, attacked and sunk by naval aircraft.”

The second communique stated : “The German merchantman, Bertram Rickmcrs, 4188 tons, which was endeavouring to escape from Massawa, was intercepted by the destroyer Kandahar.

Declared Open Town It is authoritatively stated that the Italians have declared Asmara an open town, says a cable message. II is estimated that there are 40,000 Italian native troops somewhere in Eritrea.

The Italian Commander in Chief in Eritrea (General Frusci) disappeared two nights before the British reached Asmara.

An Italian communique “Italian and German motorised forces overcame the enemy and occupied Mersa Brega in Libya. Our troops continued to resist the overwhelming forces on the northern front and in the region of the Awash, river.”

It is stated in London that the move.ment of the Germans’ mechanised forces in Libya is in the nature of a reconnaissance test of the British strength. Agency messages from Cairo state that Imperial troops are now advancing in the direction of Adowa along the natural path of invasion of central Abyssinia, a path which the Italians trod twice before—once to meet disaster and the other to conquer an empire which has now crumbled. Perfect roads are open to the invaders to Gondar in the west and Addis Ababa in the south, to which city women and children were taken some time ago from Asmara.

Springboks First There?

All indications are. however, that the South African column, which is sweeping the disorganised bands before it, is well past Diredawa and will, with the use of the JiboutiAddis Ababa railway, be the first to enter the Abyssinian capital, while the patriots and the Emperor pushing in from Debra Markos will be a close second.

Another example of the rapidity with which the British Imperial troops are able to advance is the capture of the entire mechanised unit and one battalion which was cut off from the Italian army during the retreat from Keren. Fine Work of Sappers This ability to advance at speed is in a large measure due to the sterling work of Indian and English sappers who rapdly clear the roads of all obstacles, whether they be mines or the result of Italian destruction. Repoi’ts speak of the weakening ol the morale of the defeated army. Even Askaris (native troops), who foughl admirably at Keren, are to be seen lounging at the sides of the roads. In Libya A communique issued from British headquarters at Cairo states that in Libya operations north-east of Mersa Brega are continuing, and our advanced elements are withdrawing. British troops in Eritrea yesterday occupied Asmara from which town the enemy forces have withdrawn in c south and south-east direction, it is believed. Massawa is still held by the Italians. Operations in Abyssinia are continuing to develop successfully in all areas. Support From Air. A communique issued by the R.A.F. Middie East headquarters states that the R.A.F. continues its active support to successful operations by our ground forces in Eritrea. South African fighters intercepted and plrove off a number of Savoia 79’s in the Asmara area. One had its wheels down as if to land and the engine off. Another aircraft was in flames.

South Abyssinia,

In southern Abyssinia aircraft of the South African force attacked enemy communications and defences and various kinds of transport between Awash and Asmara.

Motor transport was also bombed and machine-gunned at many other places. Aerodromes in Tripolitania were bombed yesterday by our aircraft. From all operations our aircraft returned safely with one exception.