FIERCE BATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 December 1935, Page 7

FIERCE BATTLE

TAKAZZE RIVER ENGAGEMENT ITALIANS TAKEN BY SURPRISE MOST SEVERE LOSS OF CAMPAIGN (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 19th December, 12.35 p.m.) ASMARA, 18th December. The death roll in the Takazze River engagement on 16th inst. is stated to be 800, including 272 Italians, which Italy admits is the most severe loss of the campaign. Three thousand Abyssinians in the first- mass attack on an Italian position launched themselves upon, the outposts of the Italian Second Army Corps in Shebenni Valley. It was well planned and determinedly executed. The onslaught .took the defenders by surprise, forcing them to retreat. A second Abyssinian column, immediately the outposts became engaged, forced the Takezze River and attacked askaris north of. the river. The outposts retreated, fighting desperately, while a second column slew and wounded scores of askaris, neutralising the superiority of tanks by rushing up so close to their sides that the machine guns could not be trained on them.

. RALLY BY DEFENDERS The Italians, rallying in force, eventually dispersed the Abyssinians by bayonet charges, claiming to have killed 500, but admitting that seven white officers and 20 men, 48 askari noncommissioned officers and 197 men were killed. . ' The Abyssinians reiterate their claim to have killed 300 invaders. ABYSSINIANS CLAIM VICTORY The deadliness of the encounter was accentuated by repeated Abyssinian counter-charges. The Abyssinians claim a victory, despite the loss of two chiefs and three column leaders. ITALIANS DRIVEN BACK REIN FORCEMENTSINFLICT heavy LOSSES ASMARA, 17th December. The Abyssinians at Maitimehet drove back the Italians twelve miles until they encountered strong .Italian reinforcements which inflicted heavy losses. This apparently, was the first battle which white troops were predominantly engaged. . . Italian war correspondents so far are prohibited from describing the fighting.