WAR IN AFRICA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 6

WAR IN AFRICA

ASMARA DECLARED OPEN TOWN DISAPPEARANCE OF ITALIAN COMMANDER. OPERATIONS IN LIBYA. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright* (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 2. It is authoritatively stated that the Italians declared Asmara an open town. It is estimated that there are 40.000 Italian native troops somewhere in Eritrea. General Frusci, Italian Commander-in-Chief in Eritrea, disappeared two nights before the British reached Asmara. An Italian communique states: "Italian and German motorised units overcame the enemy and occupied Mersa Brega. Our troops have continued to resist overwhelming forces on the northern front and in the region of the Awash River. It is stated.in London that the movement of German mechanised units in Libya is in the nature of a reconnaissance. to test British strength. RAPID ADVANCE DRIVE ON ADDIS ABABA. PERFECT ROADS AVAILABLE TO INVADERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 12.20 p.m.) RUGBY, April 2. Agency messages from Cairo state that Imperial troops are now advancing in the direction of Adowa, along the natural path of invasion of central Abyssinia, a path which the Italians have trod twice before—one to meet disaster and on the other occasion to conquer the empire which has now crumpled. Perfect roads are open to the invaders to Gondar in the west and to Addis Ababa in the south, to which city women and children were taken some time ago from Asmara. All the indications are, however, that the South African column which is sweeping disorganised bands before it well past Diredawa will, with the use of the Jibuti-Addis Ababa railway, be the first to enter the Abyssinian capital. while the patriots, under the ' Emperor, pushing in from Debra Markos, will be a close second. Another example of the rapidity with which the British Imperial troops are able to advance is the capture of an entire mechanised 1 unit and one battalion, which were cut off from the Italian Army during the retreat from Keren. This ability to advance so fast is in large measure due to the sterling' work of the Indian and English sappers who rapidly clear the road of all obstacles, whether they be mines or the result of Italian destruction. Reports speak of a weakening of the morale of the defeated army. Even the Askaris, who fought admirably at Keren, are to be seen lounging at the sides of the roads.