SECOND BATTLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22357, 2 March 1936, Page 9

SECOND BATTLE

TEMBIEN REGION ITALIANS' STRATEGY ENCIRCLEMENT MOVE CRISIS FOR ABYSSINIANS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 1, 7.15 p.m.) ROME. Feb. 29 A communique issued by the Italian Commander -in - Chief in Abyssinia, Marshal Badoglio, says: "A great battle has been in progress since dawn on January 28. "The second Battle of Tembien has reached a decisive phase and the position of Pas Kassa and Pas Seyoum becomes more critical every hour. Correspondents report that 100,000 Italians are in action between the Sudan frontier and Mount Alagi. The Third Italian Army Corps is advancing from Aksuin attempting to join the Second Native Corps moving northward from Gaela. The Second Italian Army Corps is manoeuvring to complete the envelopment of the Abyssinians in the Tembien salient, the pinching off of which will remove the Abyssinian threat to the Italian communications which extend 40 miles from Makale toward Mount Alagi. The Abyssinians yesterday realised their danger and tried to escape to the west, but found the Third Army Corps blocking their way. They fought until their ammunition was exhausted, when they dashed in with sword and bayonet and were almost annihilated. They suffered heavily also from aerial bombing. Alpinis of the Sabauda Division occupied the passes of Togora and Falaga, which flank Mount Alagi. The actual captors of the mountain were the Alpinis, who scaled it like steeplejacks. The Italian flag, which was planted on the summit, was sent expressly from Italy by the father of an officer who died when leading one of the Askari battalions. EMPEROR'S VIEW INVADERS' PENETRATION LITTLE CONCERN EXPRESSED (Received March 1. 7.5 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA. Feb. 29 The Emperor, Haili Selassie, in an interview to-day, said the Italian penetration of the country caused him no concern since the advance lengthened the lines of communication and increased the opportunity for guerilla tactics. The Abyssinians are fighting a stubborn rearguard action near Mount Alagi. The Italians believe the Kmperor is personally leading the reinforcements northward to assist Has Seyoum and Has Kassa to thwart encirclement.