ITALIAN TRIUMPH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22412, 7 May 1936, Page 11

ITALIAN TRIUMPH

ROYAL UNIT LEADING SILENT STRICKEN CITY FLAG HOISTED AT PALACE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 6, 9.35 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA. May 6 Fifty aeroplanes circled overhead as 25,000 Italians, with colours flying, occupied Addis Ababa. By Signor Mussolini's orders the 60th Infantry Regiment, belonging to the Sabaudia (Savoy) Division, named after the Royal Family, was the first to enter, thus symbolising the union between the Royal Family and the Fascist regime. Then came motor-cyclists, baby tanks, armoured cars and staff cars. Marshal Badoglio followed mounted on a white charger with Signor Guiseppe Botltai, Governor of Rome, on hid right, and Signor Allesandro Nessona, Minister of the Colonies, on his left. There followed more: infantry regiments, including the Bersaglieri and the Grenadiers, naval ratings, seven batteries of artillery, squadrons of cavalry, four battalions of Askaris, Black Shirts and other units. In the rear came the Engineers and the Red Cross unit. The population stood in silence as the long procession traversed the streets. Marshal Badoglio immediately proceeded to the Emperor's Palace, where the Italian flag was hoisted and saluted and the Italian national anthem was played. The occupation of the city had been carefully planned. The commanders of the various units knew exactly where to lead their troops and all the strategic points were quickly occupied. One section of troops went to the centre of the city —now practically burned out—and others went to the Customs House and the railway station. The artillery occupied the heights dominating the city. Marshal Badoglio established his headquarters at the Italian Legation and within an hour was in wireless communication with Rome.