RAINY SEASON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 7

RAINY SEASON

ITALY’S REAL ENEMY SLOW PROGRESS OF THE WAR ABYSSINIANS ARE INSPIRED MANY TANKS CAPTURED STORIES FROM SOLDIERS ITALY DENIES ETHIOPIAN SUCCESSES [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh*] Received Jan. 12, 8.45 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 11. A Times copyright message by a correspondent recently in Asmara says that there should be no overlooking the danger threatening the Italians in Abyssinia when the rainy season begins. The Italians are now almost wholly under canvas, in which they will remain during the rains owing to the unsuitability of the Abyssinian dwellings, which are regarded as too primitive and likely to cause infections and spread disease. i Thus, tents are the only alternative to retirement to Eritrea, which fis undesirable. Nevertheless, no European Army has yet faced six months of torerntial rains under canvass, especially of the low bivouac type which the Italian troops use. FcTeigiiers who have been, compelled to camp during the long rainy season in the tropics emphasise the appalling experience c-f destruction of health and demoralisation of nerves. Damp mould pervades everything, rendering existence miserable. Even the toughest northern European* found such circumstances unspeakably trying and mercurial Latins will probably suffer a harder trial. If they emerge fit to continue the war they will be entitled to be called supreme. Abyssinians Greatly Stirred A message from Addis Ababa dated January 11 says that the abnormal torrential rains continue, greatly heartening the Ethiopians. This, plus priestly exhortations and prophecies and an eclipse of the moon, worked the soldiers into a fighting spirit bordering on hysteria, as illustrated in the recent capture of tanks. The Abyssinians now possess 23 serviceable captured I tanks with which the Emperor is coni stituting a tank corps. Ambushed Italians A message from Dessie says that lour Italians captured by Enda Selassie on December 14 relate how Italian forces numbering 1600 were ambushed in a gorge and. fled after losing 800 casualties and. ten tanks. Correspondents describe the prisoners as mere lads of the 1911 and 1912 class. Corporal-Majcr Guerremi Remo, belonging to the Tenth Tank Squadron of the Duke of Abruzzis Regiment, said that when the infantry column was held up it wirelessed for the assistance of tanks, ten of which, accompanied by two lorries, filled with troops hastened to reinforce them. The tanks advanced twenty miles and entered a ravine with precipitous sides. Rounding a projecting rock, they ran into an area strewn with boulders, a veritable tank trap. The leading tank broke down and immediately a devastating fusillade began from the hillsides. killing an officer and crew who descended. Other tanks collided with the damaged vehicle, one caught fire and the remainder, unable to advance or retreat under the merciless fire, were speedily put out of action. Remo ’s tank side-slipped down and the tank overturned. Troops on the lorries jumped down and tried to escape in the bush on the hillsides, but were shot down. Meanwhile, the Abyssinians were firing through the portholes in the tanks and also attacking the infantry in the rear, who were dropping under a withering fire. They fled when the Abyssinian* charged, leaving half their number dead or wounded. Surprised at Friendly Treatment Corporal Remo and his companion, seeing the tank surrounded, opened a doer and surrendered. They were agveably surprised when treated kindly because they had been warned not to surrender as they would be mutilated by the Abyssinians. Two other were captured when a lorry was ambushed. They were the only survivors of a party of sixteen. Correspondents say the Italians when captured were wearing threadbare tunics and trousers and broken boots, indicating the condition of the Italian* troops, which the captives refused to discuss, saying they must some day return to Italy, but they admitted disappointment at the slowness of the Italian advance, which they had been told would be “ a walkover.” It i© reported that one Italian after the ambush was found dead but unwounded, with his fiancee’s photograph in his hand. Apparently he died of fright. Capture of Tajiks Confirmed The Times’ Addis Ababa correspondent confirms the Abyssinian capture of rdx tanks which the Abyssinians found in Laager in a mountain defile. They built stone barriers at night to prevent the machines escaping and attacked at dawn, eventually, despite casualties, killing or taking the crews prisoner. Abyssinians Suffer Heavy Loss Three Italian officers were wounded and one non-commissioned officer and two Askaris were killed in a conflict at the junction of the Gabat and Geva Rivers, west of Makale, states a message from Asmara. The Abyssinians suffered considerable loss and fled westward before the fire of Italian light artillery and trench mortars. They encountered a column of Askaris, who scattered them with machine-guns and rifles. Effective Italian Air Attack A further message from Asmara rays that the Italians declare that six hours’ aerial bombing drove out 200 Abyssinians taking refuge in caves on the mountain slopes which form a natural fortress above the plain at Shelicot. Several ’planes were damaged by bullets and ehells, but returned safely. y'The Ministry of 1-he T»» *»*»*»«• h*»<» e -