MADE IN THE EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1941, Page 5

MADE IN THE EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGNS

Second Crossing of Juba River HOLD GAINED ON ROAD COMMUNICATIONS BEFORE RAINY SEASON OVER SIX THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN IN A MONTH British forces have made a new crossing of the Juba River, in Italian Somaliland, a 8.8. C. broadcast states. The latest communique from British Headquarters in Cairo reports that our forces, which on Thursday crossed the River Juba, placing the whole of Jubaland in our hands, have crossed the river again at another point, north of the previous crossing. Operations from both bridgeheads are proceeding satisfactorily. In the period of a month, the Imperial forces in East Africa have taken prisoner 6,300 Italian officers and men, including a brigade commander. These prisoners were taken between January 20 and February 20. They comprise 47 Italian officers, 698 Italians of other ranks and 5,500 colonial troops. This total does not include prisoners taken by the patriot forces in various parts of Abyssinia. The R.A.F. has made another attack on Massawa, the principal port of Eritrea, damaging building's. A large petrol dump was set on fire. Abyssinian patriot forces have advanced beyond Dangila and inflicted more heavy losses on the Italians. The King's African Rifles have captured two islands on the coast of Italian Somaliland. A correspondent in East Africa points out that the capture of Mega by the South Africans and of Jubaland marks the failure of the Italian campaign. The rains are due to begin in the middle of March and had the Italians been able to maintain their defence the attack of the Imperial forces would have been held up by the impossibility of transport in roadless areas. At Mega, however, the South Africans are astride a first-class road and Kismayu is within a short sea journey of Mombassa and is the terminus of a metalled road into the interior. Further particulars of damage inflicted on the enemy in the battle south of Benghazi include 107 medium tanks captured or destroyed. The checking of large quantities of other war material is still proceeding. Enemy planes again raided Benghazi, but did little damage, One of the raiders was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. One British fighter is missing, but the pilot is safe. It is stated in London that the Germans have been making daily air attacks on Benghazi, presumably because the Italians cannot very well bomb their own people, but cannot prevent the Germans from doing so.