IN TERRIFIC HEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 5

IN TERRIFIC HEAT

FIGHTING IN ABYSSINIA BLACK LAVA REFLECTS HEAT. ENEMY POSITION FOUND EMPTY. (Received This Dav. 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, January 30. Further details, contained in a cable from Nairobi, of the action at El Yibo. over the Abyssinian border, emphasise the brilliance of the operation under terrible conditions.

Rougher and more desolate country is would be hard to imagine. Blinding light and terrific heat beat down on the dongas and ridges of hills which are composed of pitch black lava, which reflccLs the heat. Pilots taking pan in the action said: "You could not sit on the wings of planes to refuel, because the metal leadings from the edge burnt your trousers.”

The action was the peak of a battle for which preparations lasted all the previous day. in temperatures rising to 135 degrees Yet the South Africans stood the heal bettor than the irregulars and showed great discipline >n the use of water. Actually supplies of watei gave out early in the afternoon, but f.ghtmg continued and after nightfall a volunteer party obtained waler for all. after losing their wav and climbing half-way up a hili’ upon which the main defences of the enemy were con centra ted.

1 he action ended next day with the South /African infantry charging the rocks with fixed bayonets and Zulu war cries—-but the Italians had lied, ITALIAN CLAIMS A U STR A I.IA N ATTA C K S REPULSED (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) ROME, January 30. A communique says. "We repulsed attacks by Australian contingents and recaptured a post they held Some prisoners and weapons were taken"