AIR ACTIVITY UNABATED

Southland Times, Issue 24368, 24 February 1941, Page 5

AIR ACTIVITY UNABATED

British Operations In Middle East (British Official Wireless) (Received February 23, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 22. A communique from Cairo states that in Eritrea and Abyssinia operations are continuing to develop to the advantage of the British forces. In Italian Somaliland operations east of the Juba river are progressing satisfactorily. A Royal Air Force communique states:—Air activity in Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia continued unabated yesterday. Bombers of the South African Air Force attacked troop concentrations on the banks of the Juba river and motor transport in the Gelib area and west of Mogadiscio. Aerodromes at Chinele and Diredawa were also raided yesterday by Royal Air Force bombers. At Chinele enemy aircraft and stores concealed in scrub alongside the landing ground were heavily attacked. Direct hits were scored on the railway station and military barracks at Diredawa. South African fighters made a lowflying attack on aircraft on the ground at Massawa and also set fire to petrol dumps in Adiugri. An official communique from the headquarters of the East African Air Force, dealing with the intensive operations in the past few days by the South African Air Force, states that a bomber squadron made a heavy attack against enemy troop concentrations along the east bank of the Juba river, scoring direct hits on defensive positions. There has also been much offensive reconnaissance in the Mega area in Abyssinia and in the Gelib, Jumbo and Yonte areas in Italian Somaliland. Italian troops travelling in two lorries near Boda, north of the Juba river, indicated to our aircraft that they desired to surrender. MANY TANKS DESTROYED A communique issued by British General Headquarters in Cairo states that 107 medium Italian tanks were captured or destroyed in the battle south of Benghazi recently. The checking of other war materials taken in this extensive battle area is continuing. On the Eritrean front between January 20 and February 20 the British forces captured 47 Italian officers, including a brigade commander, 698 other ranks, and 5576 colonial troops. In addition, many prisoners have been taken in the areas around the Blue Nile, the Upper Nile and the Gojjam. In Italian Somaliland British troops have again successfully forced the river Juba north of the original crossing. Operations from both bridgeheads are developing satisfactorily. The reported fall of Enjabara in Abyssinia is regarded as of more vital importance than the capture of Dangila, since it compels the Italians to use a roundabout route for supplies over unmade roads, or to ferry them across Lake Tsana. Britain now has at her disposal the magnificent motor road the Italians have built in the past four years for moving mechanized units and supplies to the escarpments. Furthermore the Royal Air Force will now have a fine air base only 1600 miles from the capital of Abyssinia, Addis Ababa. A message from London says that I Sudanese and Ethiopian forces are investing Burye, to which the Enjabara garrison is attempting to retreat. The southernmost British forces in Eritrea are now threatening both Keren and Asmara from the rear. The Italians have reinforced the Kismayu garrison. The South Africans are attacking vigorously. Fierce fighting continues at the bridgeheads to the north. The King’s African Rifles, landing from dhows, seized two islands in Refuge Bay just south of Kismayu. “LOST BATTALION” The story of a lost Italian battalion believed to be meeting a grim end in the desert from privation and thirst is told by a correspondent with the South African Forces in East. Africa. The 94th Battalion, Colonial Infantry, left Afmadu, 80 miles from, the Kenya border, 11 days ago, the night before British troops occupied the town. They remained in the neighbourhood for two days, hoping that the British would depart and enable them to return for water. The battalion then started a trek through the waterless desert to Gelib, where they have not yet arrived. A doctor with the battalion returned to Afmadu and surrendered after trekking 40 miles. Their padre has been found dying from thirst. The rest of the battalion is believed to be dead or dying.