BRITISH CLOSING IN ROUND KEREN IN ERITREA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 5

BRITISH CLOSING IN ROUND KEREN IN ERITREA

ITALIANS IN FAST RETREAT MOST STRATEGIC TOWN IN THE COUNTRY [ly T«l«<raph—Pr*i» A»»o*i*Hon —Cop*right] Received Feb. 7, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 6. Without waiting to collect booty from the previous string of victories, the British to-night are closing in round Keren, which is strategically the most important town in Eritrea, and the capture of which will give the British control of threequarters of Eritrea and bring the fall of Asmara within sight. South-eastwards the garrison which abandoned Barentu, estimated at three and a-half brigades, appears to have been lost and has dispersed round a road on which it is retreating to Adigrat. Sudanese troops, who so far have been in the forefront of every action in this campaing, are pursuing, harrying and capturing sections of this isolated army. Fear of the Abyssinian®. who are now in full liaison with the British in the Walkait area, is responsible for a large number of white Italians surrendering.

The capture of motor transport is helping the British authorities solve the problems of feeding the troops over the lengthening lines of communications.

The Times’ special correspondent near Keren says that only a few of what was once a fine body of men, now a ragged, miserable rabble, are capable of putting up a fight. They are only too glad to surrender in order to obtain food, water and rest. The total number of prisoners is more than 1500. It is certain that little over a brigade will ever reach the Italian lines. They will be without equipment, guns, ammunition, food or water. One of the most valuable captures was 150 vehicles, most of which are serviceable.

The Daily Mail's Agordat correspondent states that the Italian position in Eritrea is so desperate that three battalions of the, Savoy Grenadiers has been rushed from Addis Ababa to Keren in an effort to stop the British advanie. Italian authorities, as bribes to the chieftains, authorised the enslavement of all Abyssinian patriots captured. Reports from Abyssinia indicate the growing might of the: patriot forces. Italian prestige has fallen so low that Dedjasmatch oldeyeis. who was formerly a pro-Fascist ehie4 has been sent by the Fascists to pacify the Maji area, which has gone over to the patriots. Woldeyeis is already in action against the enemy, of whom his satellites killed 10 and wounded 13. Behind the communiques laconic announcement that the advance in Libya is progressing satisfactorily lies the story of the unimpeded drive of British infantry and mechanised forces through a closely-settled Italian colony round Cyrene and Appolonia. The British advance was not only not hindered by troops, but actually encouraged by the settlers, many of

whom went to Africa during the last few years to escape imprisonment. There is no sign anywhere of Italy’s red, white and green flag, which is replaced by the white flag of surrender fluttering from poles hastily stuck in gardens and allotments. Troops vanished as quickly as their flag and abandoned fortified points without the slightest attempt at defence. “Won’t Hurt You’’ Because they are frightened of Arab pillaging the colonists are delighted to see the British, whom Marshal R. Graziani, when he passed through six days ago, described as "gentlemen who won't hurt you and will leave you to work in peace.” A doctor in the little village of Battiste, which was colonised eight years ago. met the British in the village square and gave an assurance of loyalty. He declared that most of the people of Battiste were anti-Fascist.

A priest stated that Marshal Graziani was still in command when he went through last week. The speed of the advance is almost unparalleled in history. Troops have altogether covered 350 miles on a steadily widening front in two months.