AFRICAN WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 9

AFRICAN WAR

ITALY'S CAMPAIGN FURTHER ADVANCE MADE -OPERATIONS IN NORTH MOUNTAIN RIDGES HELD INVADERS PRESS SOUTH By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 02 An official message from Home states that while Abyssinians' smoke signal:* announced the unresisted advance of General Santini's Ist Army Corps of 20,000 men, comprising the Sabauda, Sila and Black Shirt Divisions, these forces occupied 1130 additional square miles of territory, including Aderat, Adiadera, on the Buia Plain, and Mounts Gomolo and Gorajam, roughly 16 to 22 miles south of Makale. This straightened out a dangerous bend in the Italian salient and also •improved communications. Subsequently, it is claimed, Black Shirt units occupied two ridges on Mount Alaji, 40 miles south of Makale. The summit itself would have been occupied if nightfall had not forced the troops to suspend the advance. It is expected that the Italian flag w iH fly from the summit some time to-day. The Rome correspondent of the Times gays General Babbini has been gazetted to the command of the 4th Special Army Corps in Abyssinia, implying further changes in the military organisation. SOUTHERN FRONT ENCOUNTERS REPORTED MUTUAL REVERSES SUFFERED (Beceived February 23, G. 35 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 22 A Rome despatch sa;rs a message from Dolo claims that Italian airmen machine-gunned and destroyed an Abyssinian ammunition convoy of 700 camels when fording the Web be Gestro in Oga.den. In spite of the escorts' vigorous gun fire, the aeroplanes returned unharmed. " A telegram from Addis Ababa says it is reported there that the Italians have retired several miles in the Negelli sector owing to difficulty in supplying the mechanised units from Dolo. The Abyssinians are active at night time and ambushed an Italian cavalry patrol killing 11 men and wounding 18. BATTLE OF ENDERTA MULUGrETA'S EXPLANATION , A STRATEGIC RETREAT LONDON, Feb. 21 ' A message from Dessye says that in reply to special inquiries Ras Mulugeta explained his tactics at the Battle of Enderta. He said he ordered a strategic retreat from February 12 to 14, realising that the enemy was planning a big attack. Italian advance guards noticed the movement and attacked immediately, thus forcing the battle. Ran Mulugeta claims that 1500 Eritreans deserted with arms and ammunition on the night of February 16, and also claims that the total Abyssinians killed in the series of local engagements from February 12 to 17 was not more than 150. At Addis Ababa, Ras Mulugeta's communique has been hailed with great relief. It is considered that he conducted a skilful retreat in the face of vastly superior numbers. Ths Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times states that Ras Mulugeta, amplifying his explanation, says he ordered the retreat because Mount Aradam was approachable from the east and 'ivest and 'its occupation would cut off his food supply. He asserts that the Abyssinian losses were 147 killed and 268 wounded, while the Italian losses were far heavier. The news that Ras Kassa communicated freely with Ras Mulugeta and ' with Dessye is regarded as proving the falsity of Marshal Badoglio's assertion that the Italian advance cut off Ras Mulugeta's communications with the Abyssinian western forces. It is now learned that one of the achievements of Ras Mulugeta's retreat was the maintenance of contact with his supply train, which otherwise would have been cut off by the two Italian army corps converging on Antalo from the north-west and north-east round the slopes of Mount Aradam. Colonel Reul, military adviser to Hail! Selassie, who is at present on leave in Belgium, considers that the Italian reports of Abyssinian losses are vastly exaggerated. Nevertheless, the losses would bo heavier than was necessary owing to the impossibility of restraining tho Abyssinian troops when Actually confronting the enemy.