MAJOR ACTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 14, 17 January 1936, Page 7

MAJOR ACTION

LAUNCHED BY ITALIANS ABYSSINIANS FORCED BACK INVADERS HARASSED [By Tdecraph—Frees Association—Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 15. General Badoglio’s communique seems to indicate that the first major action has been launched by the Italians on the southern front, the purpose of which is .to scatter Ras Desta’s army of 50,000 men, who for a whole month have harassed the Italian left wing, north-west of Dolo, and thus menaced the invaders’ long contemplated advance on Jijiga and Harrar. General Graziani’s advance in force, embracing regulars, black shirts, native levies, tanks, armoured cars, and aircraft began at dawn on January 13. The first two days were occupied in engaging the Abyssinian outposts, who, fighting stubbornly, fell back on the main positions. Only after wave upon wave of Somali irregulars attacked the Dawa-Ganale-Dorya and Ganale-Dorya-Webbeshebeli sectors did the Abyssinians show signs of flinching. The Italians pursued the retreating warriors, advancing their line fifteen miles by nightfall. The casualties have not yet been ascertained, but it is stated that the Abyssinian dead total 500, and the Italian 100. ■While this battle was progressing another Italian column, advancing from Amina, on the Ganale Dorya River, forced a section of the enemy towards the Kenya border, occupying two villages after severe fighting. Armoured cars with machine-guns appeared at dawn on the third day, upon which the retreat developed into a flight. Hastily dug trenches and concealed machine-gun nests did not avail the Abyssinians, who had to withstand a withering fire. GERMIN OPINION MUSSOLINI HAS LOST WAR BERLIN, Jan. 1.5. Tbs Press echoes the General Staff’s view that Mussolini has lost the war. The Frankfurter Zeitung cites the unprecedented problems facing the Italian command, and declares that time works for the Abyssinians. General Badoglio finds , territory endangered which he beI lieved conquered. The Italian nett work of roads is a graveyard for ! tanks and motor vehicles. The pro- > visioning of the new divisions will I add to Badoglio’s difficulties. SUCCESS IN NORTH .ABYSSINIANS’ CLAIM : Received Jan. 16. 11.5 p.m. ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 15. Makale is practically cut off from Adowa. The Abyssinians claim that they have secured the northern initiative owing to the success of Ras Seyoum in Gheralta between Makale and Bauzien, where he routed an Italian ammunition column, killed 65 and captured a few machine guns, many rifles and much food. SOKOTA BOMBING AN ITALIAN DENIAL ROME. Jan. 15. j It is officially denied that Sokota j was ever occupied, evacuated, or bombed. ’PLANES OVER DESSIT MORE BOMBING REPORTED DESSYE, Jan. 15. Further Italian reconnaissance ’planes flew over Dessye, apparently photographing the population. The ’planes returned northwards and bombed and machine-gunned Amrouta. PROPOSAL BY DENMARK INQUIRY INTO CONDUCT OF WAR PARIS, Jan. 15. Denmark is reported to be proposing to the Leagu Coutwll t-he appointment of a commission to inquire into the condti'-r of the It-alo-Abyssinian war, stipulating that the investigation be not extended to a search for a settlement.