ITALIAN FORCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22256, 2 November 1935, Page 13

ITALIAN FORCES

ROADMAKING IN NORTH r MANY TROOPS AT ASMARA i fighting in ogaden By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 1. 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Oct. 31 The Asmara correspondent of the Times says the main Italian positions at Aksum, Adowa and Adigrat are unchanged, but sufficient forces are advancing to protect the engineers who are constructing new roads and to consolidate the occupied terrain. This work is being continued behind a screen of tanks, supported by artillery and infantry. It keeps the troops active and interested. The Italians' cautious advance also is intended . to avoid crashing a way through and injuring the population, as it is hoped to establish goodwill in the occupied areas. So far this policy has been fruitful, but whether it will be possible when the Italians confront the true Abyssinians is uncertain. , Italian troops are pouring into Asmara daily from Italy. All are of fine physique. , The Italians have renewed their activity in the neighbourhood of Dolo, in Ogaden, just north of the border of Italian Somaliland, where there has been bitter fighting with serious >. casualties. A'message from Addis Ababa says there are all the indications of the commencement of a big Italian push toward Dessic. , r General de Bono announces that the Black Shirt's 1 st Army Corps occupied the zone of the Mai Uece wells, between Adagarnus and Makale. The 2nd Army Corps (native troops) in addition liberated 16,000 slaves. Askaris in Ogaden dispersed \ enemy post's north-west of the River Daua. General Graziani's troops continued their advance toward Gorahai., Askaris captured Fort Scillave, 60 miles south-west of Gorahai, after a night march through a thickly-wooded, swampy zone. They surprised the Abyssinians and assaulted the fort at the point of the bayonet in darkness. The defenders fled. Italians who were entrenched south of Mussa Ali advanced northward, seeking a forward air base. Abyssinians continually harassed the march by guerilla tactics and sniping at night. It is believed that the Italians are moving their base to avoid clashing with French interests. Presumably this is a first step toward the advance on Dessic.