THREAT TO REAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1941, Page 5

THREAT TO REAR

OF ENEMY STRONGHOLD IN ERITREA

ADVANCE FROM THE NORTH ON KEREN.

PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS

<By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright»

LONDON. Febrtiurv 18

The British column which has been advancing near the Red Sea coast of Eritrea is now 40 miles north-east of Keren and is threatening it from the rear. The column covered 100 miles in five days after two stiff engagements and along appallingly rough tracks.

Sudanese troops, which arc the spearhead of the advance, took both Karora anti Mersa Taclai from the rear. Their officers walked into Karora while it was still in Italian ; hands. The}* explored the outer defences : and found them unheld, and they then ■ went to tb.e centre of the town, open|ed the door of a house and found ; themselves in an Italian officers’ mess. ! which was full of officers. Because their object was to get back I safely with information they hastily retreated before the Italians had suf- ; ticiently recovered to draw their re- ■ volvers. After the capture of Karora one wing of the British advanced along the road to Keren through Nacfa, capturing El Chena en route. The other wing passed inland from Mersa Taclai, and it is now at the gates of Kubkub, a strong Italian post 40 miles from Keren In the sector to the south of Keren; the British forces from Barentu are pushing on eastward. Emperor Haile Selassie's troops have occupied Dangila and other posts in ; ‘he Gojjam and are closely pursuing j (he Italians, who an* fleeing north- ' ward. The St<-f,mi ilt.dian) news agencyi states that a native Ethiopian army is j being organised at Asmana under R.is '• Gugsa and other chieftains, who have; summoned the natives to beat the war- ! drums in Italy's behalf. The Duke of Aosta. Viceroy of Elhi- ' opia. has telegraphed to Signor Musso- ' lim: "We will last somehow. We are! readv for any sacrifices for victory" i