ADOWA TAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1941, Page 5

ADOWA TAKEN

GOOD PROGRESS ON ALL FRONTS i TOTAL OF PRISONERS MOUNTING QUANTITIES OF MATERIAL CAPTURED. SOUTH AFRICANS FORCE AWASH GORGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, April 5. British forces, states a Cairo message, have captured Adowa and Adigrat, inside the north Abyssinian frontier between Massawa and Addis Ababa. Though only a small town of some 6000 inhabitants. Adowa is an important strategic point in northern Abyssinia and is a key position in the road system. A Cairo general headquarters communique states: “In Eritrea our advance from Asmara is continuing. Advanced elements are already south of Adowa, near which a battalion of Italian infantry was surprised and captured. "The total number of prisoners captured at Asmara now amounts to nearly 5000. of whom 4000 are Italians. Quantities of military material and railway engines and rolling-stock have also been taken. “East of Addis Ababa, following a sharp engagement with the enemy, our troops secured an important defensive position on the Awash River. In all the other sectors our advance is proceeding satisfactorily. In particular South African forces have captured a number of prisoners, including a brigade commander.”