BRITISH TROOPS REOCCUPY KASSALA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1941, Page 5

BRITISH TROOPS REOCCUPY KASSALA

Italians in Full Retreat into Eritrea ALSO BEING PRESSED HARD IN ABYSSINIA R.A.F. ACTIVE IN LIBYA AND ELSEWHERE An important British victory in East Africa is made known in a communique issued in Cairo, the 8.8. C. states. British troops have reoccupied Kassala. By intensive patrols during a period of weeks, the troops, at low cost to themselves have inflicted daily casualties on the Italians and the latter have now been compelled to evacuate strong defensive positions in and around Kassala. Active patrolling continues in the Metemma area, east of G-allabat. The capture of Kassala by the British forces is a major success on this new front. Kassala, which stands a few miles inside the Sudan, is the key position to the defence of the Italian territory of Eritrea. The Italians occupied Kassala shortly after they entered the war, established strong forces there and consolidated the position. Now they are in full retreat and British mobile forces are stated to be penetrating into Eritrea. The mention of Metemma in the British communique shows that here as well as in other areas pressure on the Italians in Abyssinia is being intensified. Strong Abyssinian forces trained, and equipped by the British mission which entered the country in July are in action against the Italians, whose patrols are being harried and ambushed. Another Abyssinian force, consisting of men who escaped into the Sudan, is waiting for a chance to take part in throwing the Italians out of Abyssinia.

The Royal Air Force at the same time is continuing its attacks on the Italians in East Africa. Assab and Asmara have been bombed again and raids have also been made on enemy positions in British Somaliland,