FALL OF FORTRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 10

FALL OF FORTRESS

SIEGE OF AMBA ALAGI

"TRIUMPH OF MANOEUVRE"

A SOLDIER'S BATTLE

LONDON, May 23,

The attack on Amba Alagi which led to the capture of this important fortress has been described in a special order of the clay as a triumph of manoeuvre and individual gallantry in the face of stiff opposition and in precipitous mountain country. The order of the day was issued by the British Officer Commanding the Imperial troops in their two weeks' siege of this last big Italian stronghold in East Africa.

The order says: "In the early stages of the battle Indian troops, having destroyed strong and widely-flung enemy outposts, succeeded in reaching the fortress defences on the north, west, and south-west. In the east, too, our forces were gradually closing in.

"At this stage South Africans arrived from the south, and in inclement weather climbed precipitous slopes to close the net finally around the enemy." The order of the day describes how, as the stage was now set for the final assault, the enemy capitulated.

It was essentially a soldier's and a gunner's battle, and the victory was mainly due to the skill and endurance of individual soldiers and to the effect of our heavy artillery concentrations.

The order pays tribute to all units, and the commanding officer adds, "I want to express my special appreciation of the services rendered by the South Africans and to express my pride in having that fine formation temporarily under my command. The Indian forces hope they may have the good fortune to fight side by side with the South Africans again."