CAPTURE OF MOGADISCIO

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21357, 27 February 1941, Page 7

CAPTURE OF MOGADISCIO

BRITISH SWEEPING ONWARD PRINCIPAL TOWN OF ITALIAN SOMALILAND HALF OF ERITREA ALSO CONTROLLED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 26 The capture of Mogadiscio, the capital and principal seaport of Italian Somaliland, by British forces is announced in a message from Nairobi. The town was taken by advanced forces of the troops operating along the coast. The capture of the capital reduces the last of the important posts in Italian Somaliland. In North Africa the latest advances give the British control of half of Eritrea. All roads along w’hich the Italians are attempting to concentrate for a decisive stand in Eritrea are being subjected to heavy and constant bombing by the Royal Air Force. The thrusts from the west are progressing and leaflets which are being dropped each day are adding new centres of revolt behind the Italian lines in Abyssinia. Apart from retreating and isolated units, the Italian line runs from Keren to Lake Tsana, Debra Markos and Addis Ababa. Every possible ounce of punch is being put into the British drive for the purpose of racing the rainy season, which may be expected within four to six weeks,* and is likely to hamper, or even prevent, large-scale operations for six months.

REMARKABLE PACE SUCCESSES OF BRITISH HARBOUR TOWN CAPTURED ADVANCE IN OTHER AREAS (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 27, noon) RUGBY, Feb. 26 The capture of Mogadiscio underlines the remarkable pace with which this campaign is making progress. A communique stated: Advanced elements of our East and West African troops occupied Mogadiscio on the evening of February 25. Mogadiscio is some 120 miles northeast up the coast from Brava, a port 160 miles north of Kismayu the capture of which was announced some days ago. The capture of Brava, which was announced yesterday from Nairobi, is to-day also confirmed in a Cairo communique. Mogadiscio is a harbour town, with a population of about 50,000, of whom 21,000 are Italians. Since 1935, when Mogadishu was | used as a main southern base for the j Abyssinian campaign, there has been considerable traffic through the port and plans had been drawn up for its enlargement and reconstruction. Advance Towards Keren A Cairo communique states: In Eritrea our northern column advancing towards Keren has again made satisfactory progress. About Keren itself local activity continues. In Abyssinia patriot forces, supported by British troops, have successfully increased their areas of penetration in Gojjam and further south, causing the evacuation of the main Italian posts. Following enemy withdrawal from Italian and British Moyale, both places have been occupied by South African troops. In Italian Somaliland West African troops yesterday captured Brava, from which port our advance is again continuing. In the Gelib area prisoners so far counted number 64 officers and 432 Italian other ranks, together with 886 colonial troops. No Spectacular Advance South of Keren the advance continues. But here no spectacular advance can be expected, partly because of the nature of the ground and partly because the Italians in retreat are making use of land mines, which take time to clear away. These mines are the outcome of tank tactics, and are designed to crack the tracks of the tanks, thereby rendering them useless. They were used with considerable effect south of Benghazi against the Italian tanks which were endeavouring to break through the British cordon which cut off the retreating enemy. No fresh news comes from Libya except the “successful defence” of the Italians at Jarabub. Military circles point out that this place is not the subject of attack. TORPEDOED AND SUNK FATE OF ITALIAN SHIP TROOPS & MATERIALS ABOARD ON THE WAY TO ALBANIA (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 27, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 26 It is learned in Athens, according to a press message, that an Italian ship has been torpedoed and sunk on its way to an Albanian port with troops and material. The information was given by officers among a number of Alpinis captured in a small action on Tuesday.

ITALIANS TRAPPED AFRICANS’ RAPID ADVANCE MANY PRISONERS TAKEN THREE SERVICES CO-OPERATE (Official wireless) (Received Feb. 27, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 26 A Nairobi communique states: A South African formation captured Gelib after having crossed the river Juba near its mouth and carried out an exceedingly rapid and vigorous march for 60 miles up the river, clearing enemy opposition all the way. Here East African and Gold Coast troops carried out a night march through dense country and cut the only road communication between Gelib and Brava, thus preventing the escape of the main body. The Gold Coast Brigade, which had borne the brunt of the early fighting across the Juba River, completed the operation and cut off all avenues of escape to the north. A conservative estimate puts the number of prisoners at 3000, and in addition many of the enemy who escaped into the bush are now returning and giving themselves up. The pilot of a plane reported that enemy forces retreating along the beach 30 miles from Juba waved white flags in token of a desire to surrender as soon as they observed him. A large quantity of guns and ammunition of all kinds has been captured. It will take a considerable time to recover and check this material. The South African Air Force cooperated in the capture of Gelib, machine-gunning enemy transport which was trying to escape. The bombardment of enemy positions and dumps further along the coast was successfully carried out by the Navy. FRIGHTENED ITALIANS FEAR OF BEING SHOT HASTE TO SURRENDER WHITE OBJECTS WAVED * (Official wireless) (Received Feb. 27, 11.40 a.m.) . RUGBY, Feb. 26 Two or three Royal Air Force intelligence officers, when examining an Italian aircraft abandoned at Bardia, suddenly found themselves hemmed in by hundreds of Italians. The crowd rushed up to them with I pieces of white paper in their hats ! or waving white handkerchiefs and | other white objects. i “ When I asked them where they were going,” said an officer who speaks fluent Italian, “ they replied that they were searching round to join the column o£ men who had given themselves up. “ They were afraid that someone would shoot at them as they made their way along to join the prisoners’ column. I had to assure them that they would be all right if they just went along and surrendered.” OCCUPIED BY BRITISH ITALIAN SEAPLANE BASE CASTEL LORIZO ISLAND (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 27, 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 26 A joint Admiralty and War Office communique announces that Castel Lorizo, a small Italian island with a seaplane base in the Eastern Mediterranean, was occupied by British forces on February 25. Royal Air Force fighters shot down two Dorniers into the sea at Malta. It is believed they destroyed a third. Ten Norwegians have been sentenced to death for sending secret radio messages to England. It is alleged that they transmitted 80 military items. Seven other persons have been imprisoned lor espionage ; on behalf of Britain.

By special arrangements Reuter’s World Service, in addition to other special sources or information, Is used In the compilation or the overseas lntHlfsence pnbl;>ned in this issue, and all rlgrhts therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news in this L-*sue as is so headed has appeared m the Times and is so sent to ths paper by special permission. It should be undor>tood that the opinion is not that of the Times unless it 4a expressly stated to be so.