AFRICAN FRONTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24631, 12 June 1941, Page 7

AFRICAN FRONTS

POSITION IN ABYSSINIA BRITISH ADVANCE CONTINUES RUGBY. June 10. It is learned in London that in the Tobruk area two enemy aircraft were shot down by British ground defences on the night of June 7-8, and that an enemy tank was put out of action by artillery. In Abyssinia the advance of two British columns on Jimma is making progress. The northern column has now reached Hocorro. 15 miles southwest of Abalti, and the southern column has progressed 12 miles from the point at which the River Omo was crossed. In this area the prisoners now total about 3000. A Cairo communique states: In Libya there is some patrol activity in the frontier area. About Tobruk the situation remains unchanged. In Abyssinia, as the result of the Battle of the Lakes and the Battle of the River Omo. a further 45,000 square miles of Italian territory have fallen into our hands. In spite of great difficulties. due to mountainous country, bad roads, and heavy rains, at least four divisions haye been destroyed or .dispersed in these battles. All the major opposition in front of Jimma has been overcome, and operations are proceeding favourably. •