Defeated Enemy More Numerous In Abyssinian War

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1941, Page 10

Defeated Enemy More Numerous In Abyssinian War

[British Official Wireless] (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 3. It is officially stated from Nairobi that on Tuesday the General Officer Commanding (Major-General Wetherall), accompanied by the Divisional Commander (Major-General Fowkes), inspected the different units comprising the force which captured Gondar. On parade were men from the Mother^Country, East, South and West Africa, the Sudan, India and Ethiopa, and a detachment of Free French. Following is a personal message from the commanding-officer read to individual companies in 10 different translations;

“With the capture of Gondar the East African force has accomplished its immediate mission in defeating the iast Italian forces opposed to us. “To carry out this we advanced nearly 3000 miles, defeating- in many battles an enemy much superior to ourselves in numbers

and artillery. “We accomplished our task owing to superior leadership of our leaders, the valour of our soldiers and the bravery of our airmen. No Time to Relex

“Some of the troops-who fought at Gondar are veterans, but the majority have seen little or no previous fighting. In the difficult fight for this place you all displayed the same splendid lighting spirit. “Though in this theatre of war we have defeated the enemy, the time has not come to relax. It is only for us a breathing space in which to perfect ourselves in tactics and the mastery of our weapons. “We do not know what plans the enemy will make for the future, but that he will fight us to the end in every part of the world is certain. “I had a wire from the head of the army in London congratulating you on your- fine feat of arms entailed in the capture of Godar, I, as your present commander, am proud of you and am certain that whatever calls may be made on you in the future, they will be met with the same valour and success as you recently displayed.”