ABYSSINIA’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

Western Star, 8 November 1935, Page 3

ABYSSINIA’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE.

Abyssinia’s first line of defence is her mountains. Equal to the Alps in altitude, with heights reaching to 15,000 ft., the basaltic bulwarks of the massive central plateau cover an area of some 250,000 square miles, that is, three-fifths- of the country and region four times greater thaii the whole of th e alpine ranges of Italy, Switzerland, France and Austria put together. But unlike the Alps, this vast area is almost devoid of communications suited to European transport, so herein lies an invader’s must desperate problem Let l| s take a passing survey of the approaches to Addis Ababa, the little capital of normally about 40,000 inhabitants This little town, in its primitive beauty, is set on a bracing tableland about 8000 ft. above sea level, amid surrounding tier s of mountains and i n a climate admirably suited to European. It so happens that Italy is very unfavourably placed, strategically, for invading this much desired region, notwithstanding the many points of attack at her disposal and the wide front of close upon a thousand miles. The fact J is that no matter from whence she may i launfch her offensive, her army i s up against lofty mountain ridges and a terrible terrain of approach.

ONLY FAIRLY OPEN ROUTE The only route offering a fairly open approach t 0 the central platean is that from th e south via Gardula and the stretch of beautiful lakes, Abaya, Simla and Zwai; but this can be reached only from the British colony of Kenya. The remaining approach, made practicable through very difficult country by the railway from Jibuti, is from French Somaliland.

To reach this, the only railway in Atyssinja, is very difficult for the Italian army. It would entail crossing the waterless Danaki] Derest and then facing the arid area and savage peoples of the Aussa Sultanate Approaching 10,010 square miles, in extent, the Danaki! region is one of the worst in Africa. It is rarely crossed, but the late L- M. Nesbitt and two Italians succeeded in 1928.

Then, in 1929, ?.u elaborate Italian expedition set out,-organised by Baron Fianchetti (killed the other day with L. M. Nesbitt while flying in Egypt). Every modern contrivance to seem* succesg was adopted The utter hopelessness of such a country was proven. Vivid accounts were given of the sufferings of the party from thirst or from the wholesome saline waters which are usually all that can b e obtained in these desert areas. The surface consisted here of “wastes of black lava, the knife-ljke edges of which cut the feet of the camels, many of which were lost during the journey.” With great- difficult© Makale wa s reached, on the edge of the great Abyssinian plateau. Obviously/ the defenders will have little to fear from invasion along this 500-mile front, apart from air-raids, which, by the wav. are a problem in themselves for the Italians across such a country and with a colossal wall of moutains 10,000 to 14,000 ft. high, with their enveloning mists and clouds, as a possible goal. The Italians would therefore appear +o have to choose between three routes. One is via the fateful Adowa, where in 1896 the Italians suffered defeat and lost 13 000 troops Another route might be made further west, from Agordat, the terminus of the Italian railway from Mas'sawa. There is also the probability of an offensive being made from the smith via the Juba River.

The route from .Adowa provides the most dirpet wav, with plenty of water, the possibility of raiding for supplies, mid the least fever-ridden localities to Addi s Ababa. This would be via Sokotra and Magdala, along which tiler© iff an established highway of a sort. An alternative or supporting advance might he made via Aksum, the ancient capital of Abyssinia, and thence through the valley of the Takkazc. In either case the valley of the Blue Nile would have to be the objective, owing to the impassable mountains between Magdala and Abbis Ababa, where the mountainous country of the Muger provides a perilous route up to Addis Ababa.

PASSES TO' BE CROSSED. Though about 400 miles- as the crow flies from th e Italian frontier, such, a journey would be actually nearer 600 miles for an invading force, as may be inferred. Passes of over 9000 ft would have to be crossed ere the valley of the Blue Nile with its- gorges was attained, while the entire route- would he flanked with these dark, rugged highlands and mountains ranging from 12.000 to 15,000 ft. The* approach from Agordat on Condor, via Nagnda, would follow an established route which would provide access to Lake Tana and the valley of the Blue Nile perhaps more readily, yet the perils of that long mountain-lined route maywell make it impracticable. Finally, there remain the approaches on Abyssinia from Italian Somaliland in the south-east. Here an invading ai-my would court disaster from an added enemy, malaria and other fevers being a still more serious menace ill the low-l.ying approaches from the coast. Further inland the Ogaden region, with its vast waterless areas alternating with thorn scrub and saline waters, may be regarded as impassable. There remains the approach via the River Juba, near the eastern frontier of Kenya Colony. This passes through a comparatively roadless and barren region in the uplands of its course. Railways are absent, so the facilities for the transport of an army foi- close upon a thousand miles are small, but the river vvhich for the lower part of its course is between 209 and 300 ft wide, would doubtless help the problem of transport to a limited extent The pver-preront mountain barrier, lioweve-, remains at the end of what would be at least a 700 or 800-mile t'- 'k: beneath an equatorial sun, in ter- '• iiic heat. To gain the wide valley of the lakes abo’. e Gardula, and so ready ;i<-c:.s to Addis Ababa, the steep mountain wall at the head of the valleys of ■althe 1 - the Dawn or the Canale Doria, with Rs lugged fastnesses and heights -v 1 ' POCOt't. and over, lias to be overcome