BIG BATTLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22346, 18 February 1936, Page 11

BIG BATTLE

NORTH _ABYSSINIA ITALIAN VICTORY COMMANDER'S CLAIM OBJECTIVES BEACHED EOAD TO THE CAPITAL 33y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 17, 6.35 p.m.) ROME, Feb. 16 The Italian Commander-in-Chief in .East Africa, Marshal Badoglio, has reported to Rome that he achieved I a big victory south of Makale. The Abyssinians were estimated at 80,000, of whom 20,000 were put out of action, in addition to 30,000 who fled as soon' as the fight began. The Italian losses pi-obably were 400 dead and 500 wounded. The communique from Marshal Badoglio announcing the victory, says: "The 'lst and 3rd Army Corps reached all their objectives, and planted the Italian flag on the bulwark of the enemy's defences." . In spite of continuous rain and hail -storms, the Italian offensive was launched on the northern front on February 10 against Ras Mulugeta, the j Emperor's northern commander and | former Minister of War. The object was to Weak through to a focal point at iAmba Alagi, 40 miles south of Makale, ;in order to open the road to Addis I Ababa. The attack ended in a brilliant 'initial victory after the biggest battle of the war. Significance is attached to the issue of the war bulletin, because it is rare 'that such announcements are made on Sunday. It stated: "Our troops on the jEritreari front have been engaged in a big battle south of Makale since dawn 'yesterday."

Commanding Position Gained Marshal Badoglio, whose skill as an artillery expert has thus brought its ireward, not only advanced on a front of ;10 miles southwards, but now dominates the rocky mountain system which com'.mands the Sakota route to Tembien and lEnderta, and controls the next stage of .the advance. The territory occupied includes Amba Aradam (Mount Aradam), ■of 9000 feet, Scelicot, Afgol, Antalo and t Belsat. The new position also threatens! the safety of Ras Kassa's and Ras Seyoum's troops by cutting off their (southward 'retreat from Tembien, where their original outflanking attempt was immobilised by the battle of Wahieu on 'January 19. Aradam, which has long borne the ' |brunt of the Italian aerial and artillery bombardments, is a flat, oblong plateau half a mile broad. The Italians, prior to the advance, held the _ridges below, ibeing divided from the Abyssinians by the Gabat Valley, in which is The Gabat is a tributary of the Gheva 'River, Description of the Battle The conflict, officially known as the . .Battle of Enderta, was the first in which khaki-clad Abyssinian regulars encountered the full force of the Italian ,war machine. White Italians, numbering 72,000, were exclusively engaged. However, an Askari division provided reserves. About 25,000 Abyssinians were dislodged, from Aradam by the pincerlike action, although strongly supported by 60,000 warriors. An eye-witness of the advance from ,forward artillery observation posts on a hilltop in the eastern sector, describes how two linked-up but independent Italian columns encircled Aradam and I made junction at Antalo. Heavy guns ; shelled the enemy positions 10 miles ,away, while light mountain artillery 'followed up the advance. No tanks, but a small force of aeroplanes, participated. Conflict Viewed From Heights Reports from onlookers from the heights,say the battle resembled a game of chess. An unexpected gambit was when the Sila Division of Italian regulars crossed the Gabat Valley and stormed the ridge. The' position was sparsely defended because I?as Mulugeta had expected that the other wing would be tho objective of the main attack. The f Italians swiftly killed and dispersed the defenders. The leader of tho Abyssinians was seen .through field glasses to bo attempting to escape on the back of a mule when a shell burst and decapi.tated the mule and hurled the rider headlong. Bravery of the Abyssinians The Italian generals extol the gallantry and strategy of the Abyssinians, who flung themselves down slopes upon the clambering Italians regardless of peril. "Many of these people had not previdusly experienced heavy artillery or air bombardment, yet they never ran away,",'declared a staff officer. "They skilfully concealed themselves from air reconnaissance, never revealing what masses of men were concealed." The Italians found on Aradam three huge caverns, where Ras Mulugeta established his headquarters on alternate days. Roughly fortified cavefi and rock fissures held thousands of Abyssinians. Unofficial sources state that the Italians Tv'ere driven back by the Abyssinians, who were equipped with modern machine-guns. There were heavy casualties on both side 3.

LEADER DISGRACED ACTION BY EMPEROR SON-IN-LAW IN GAOL (Received February 17, 7.45 p.m.) ' LONDON, Feb. 1G The Daily Mail's Addis Ababa correspondent says Abyssinian headquarters declare that as a consequence of the Emperor's secret aerial visit to Sidamo the troops have been completely reorgarfised under Dedjasmatch Bayana, whom Haili Selassie decorated with the Star of Solomon. The Emperor ordered Ras Desta to be taken "by air from Sidamo to Dessye and relieved him of his command. The Emperor had lias Desta manacled to a servant, who henceforth will be his guardian in gaol. Though the Empress- is distressed at the disgrace of her second son-in-law following upon , «hat of the renegade itas Gugsa, she ref**-as to intervene.