OFFERED BY THE ITALIANS AT KEREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 March 1941, Page 5

OFFERED BY THE ITALIANS AT KEREN

British Operations Developing Slowly but Satisfactorily R.A.F. GREATLY ASSISTING TROOPS CONTINUED PROGRESS IN ABYSSINIA At Keren, a 8.8. C. broadcast states, the Italians are puttingup the stiffest resistance which British forces have so far encountered in Africa. Fighting 1 has taken place in a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. A Yorkshire battalion was engaged constantly for over 100 hours and Scottish troops, which bore the brunt of one fierce enemy counter-attack launched by Alpinis, are described as having fought like wildcats, and after a desperate battle to have beaten the Italians back. The land forces are being fully supported by the R.A.F., which has carried out heavy and persistent bombing of the enemy. Numerous raids have been made and many tons of bombs have been dropped. A communique issued by British headquarters at Cairo states that at Keren the Italians again suffered serious casualties in an unsuccessful counter-attack and a number of prisoners were left in British hands. Operations continue to develop slowly but satisfactorily. In central and southern Abyssinia pressure is being maintained on the withdrawing- Italian forces. The "British column which advanced north from Mogadishu to Jijiga, in Abyssinia, has now struck to the right and occupied Golaschi. Another column is moving southward from Berbera, from which place supplies will soon be available, the distance being only a quarter of that from Mogadishu. It is stated that a revolt has broken out in Northern Italian Somaliland and that the Italians are no longer in control of the situation. Other Imperial forces are pressing on into eastern and western Abyssinia.