A NEW OFFENSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22788, 25 January 1936, Page 14

A NEW OFFENSIVE

SITUATION IN ABYSSINIA CONFLICTING REPORTS * LONDON, January 23. There arc conflicting accounts of Italy's new offensive in Tembien. A despatch from Rome claims that all the first day's objectives were achieved, but Addis Ababa claims a victory for Ras Seyoum's . forces, with heavy Italian losses and the complete encirclement of Makale. BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 5.5 p.m.)

A Times copyright message from Addis Ababa says the Abyssinians still claim a successful counter-attack after the initial Italian attack at Tembien. The communique declares that the battle opened near Makale on January 20, and the Ethiopians, after intense hand-to-hand fighting, occupied manv important Italian positions and captured large quantities of arms, ammunition, provisions, and several guns, and killed thousands of Italians.

The communique expresses satisfaction that Ras Desta lias fallen back from Negelli, which was a dangerously advanced position, rendering supply difficult, although it is admitted that his retirement at Sidamo opens a gap permitting the Italians a clear passage up Ganaledorya and Webbe to Mogalo Ginir, which Abyssinians are now reinforcing. Ras Desta denies that he had reverses and says lie retired to the mountains to avoid Italian tanks.

The Times Rome correspondent's report says that Negelli was captured as the' result of a combined attack by cavalry, whippet tanks, and armoured cars, the mechanised arms attacking frontally while horsemen deployed on flanks and made a brilliant charge with lances. General Graziani followed up the advance so quickly that he entered Negelli two hours after capture.