400,0011 Italians Have Been Outed So Far

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1941, Page 3

400,0011 Italians Have Been Outed So Far

LONDON, May 21

The surrender of the Italian garrison at Amba Alagi is stated to be continuing according to schedule. There are believed to be no more than four Italian divisions holding out in Abyssinia in the Gondar and Jimma districts.

Three hundred Italians have been taken prisoner in the Gondar area, and in the Jimma district heavy rain is holding up operations. Commenting on the surrender of Amba Alagi, the ‘‘Daily Telegraph’’ says: “The campaign is likely to stand out as one of the finest feats in our military history. “There have been no sudden, swift successes. The British forces have had to fight hard in winning every position gained in mountainous country, which offered every natural advantage for defence. Duke Able Soldier “They were opposed by the one Italian general who measured up to the boasting of the Italian dictator. The Duke of Aosta proved himself an able soldier with a high capacity for leadership. “When steps have been taken to give the remaining defenders at Jimma and Gondar news of the collapse at Amba Alagi, the moral effect is likely to be decisive in bringing the Abyssinian operations to an end. “The campaign has proved the sterling military quality of British forces from two far-separated and dissimilar regions of the Empire. South Africans and Indians covered themselves with glory.” Tlie “Daffy Mail” says the Italians have now had more than 400,000 men put out of action in the two campaigns in Libya and

Abyssinia. In the British drive to Benghazi 200,000 of Mussolini’s soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, most of them Italians. Mussolini had another 300,000 men in Abyssinia, about 100,000 of them Italians. In 94 days’ lighting the British put out of action more than 200,000 of them, including almost all the Italians. Most of the native troops who are not casualties or prisoners have deserted.

King Victor Emmanuel has sent a telegram to the Duke of Aosta awarding him the Italian gold medal for valour.