DUKE OF AOSTA AND FORCES AT AMBA ALAGI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1941, Page 5

DUKE OF AOSTA AND FORCES AT AMBA ALAGI

Last Important Italian Stronghold in Abyssinia FIGHTING CONTINUES IN GONDAR AND JIMMA AREAS IMPORTANT CAPTURES MADE IN SOUTH LOX DOX. May 19. The Duke of Aosta, Italian Viceroy of Abyssinia and Com-mander-,in-Chief of the Italian forces in that country, is surrendering' tomorrow. With him in the act of final capitulation to the British Imperial forces will be his senior officers. The surrender virtually completes the release of the first of the long list of countries under Axis oppression. After allowing, the Italian forces at Amba Alagi a full day in which to collect their wounded, the formal surrender of the whole forces’ in the area will take place tomorrow. It is estimated that the prisoners will number 7,000, mostly Italians, together with a considerable number of guns and other material. It has further been arranged, in conformity with the Duke of Aosta’s special request, that he should be the last to leave and that he and his officers shall surrender at twelve noon tomorrow. The fall of Amba Alagi is of considerable strategic importance, quite apart from the surrender of the Duke of Aosta’s forces; as it is a centre on the communication route to the interior. It is expected that the surrender of the Duke of Aosta will mean the speedy collapse of the few remaining centres of Italian resistance in Abyssinia. Enemy forces are still operating in the Gondar and Jimma areas. Further successes are reported in Abyssinia in areas other than Amba Alagi. In the Gondar area units of the Sudan defence forces, assisted by patriots, have taken an important position and inflicted serious casualties on the enemy. Operations there are progressing. In Southern Abyssinia, British forces have taken a road junction of importance and 800 prisoners, including staff officers, with guns and armoured cars. In othei’ districts the advance of British forces continues, in spite of heavy rain.