THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 2, 1941.
FALL OF ASMARA ANNOUNCED
Massawa Now Last Strong Point In Eritrea Another Brush In ASMARA STOP PRESS
Cyrenaica
IT WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED IN CAIRO LAST NIGHT THAT THE BRITISH FORCES HAVE CAPTURED ASMARA, CAPI- TAL OF ERITREA,
A meeting of British and enemy forces in Libya, a continued British advance in Eritrea with the capture of more prisoners, and rapid progress in Abyssinia, were reported in an earlier G.H.Q. communique.
The communique stated the advanced elements of forces were on Monday in con- and tact with enemy infantry
Mersa mechanised units in the Brega area, Libya,
"Despite extensive
that; ed to offer strong resistance until our the British forces reach the Awash River, about 100 miles from Addis Abab, stated the British military spokesman in Cairo last night.
He added there was
modern
demolition
continues."
on the main road to Asmara our
Eritrea advance in
DURING THE LAST 48 HOURS A FURTHER 800 PRISONERS WERE TAKEN, INCLUDING AN
COMMAN- OTHER BRIGADE DER.
noticeable
of
around Asmara,
nothing defences
Threat To Massawa
STATEMENT
ON WAR BEFORE EASTER
an-
Mr. Churchill nounced in the House of Commons yester- day that he proposed to make a statement on the
before Easter. Reuter.
war
GERMAN
TROOPS
CAUGHT
ACA
Possession of the Eritrean capi- tal is not only a direct threat io! Massawa, 75 miles away, but also! promises finally to sever all con- munications between
road to In and Massawa, leaving a
Assab, sole remaining link be- tween Abyssinia and the Red Sea.
Although communications this area have been extensively! damaged by the retreating Italian forces our advance from
Diredawa
astride the railway ASMARA HAS 100,000 INHA- and road to Addis Ababa 8 BITANTS, HALF OF WHOM ARE
ITALIANS. making rapid progress.
IT IS 7,800 FEET
ON PARADE
Reviewing what is des-
FALLS IN
5 DAYS
to
Asmara, capital of Eri- trea, has fallen. This suc- cess, which is likely prove the beginning of the end of resistance in Eritrea, follows only five days after the capture of Keren.
In that brief time the British and Indian fortes, ably support- ed by the. R.AF, have pursued the dispirited talians over 75 miles to yesterday's new resound- ing victory.
the
срал
for Mas-
the
The way is now
next drive against sawa, Italy's last port on Red Sea.
fact Keren
The speed of the advance takes additional credit from the that the fighting before was of a most exhausting kind., leading to the climax of a fort- under night's sustained attacks most difficult physical conditions of climate and terrain.
Duke's Problem In their progress since Thurs- had cessful day by Blenheimsday the British forces have of the Bomber Command no easy task, being faced by
through a on Monday, an Air Minis- steep climb mainly
defile.
With the fall of Asmara the the try
communique says:
problem confronting the Duke of on "Warships, supply ships, Aosta, Viceroy of Abyssinia, re- Italians,
In all other sectors the pene- ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON A PLA-cribed as a busy and suc-
tration into southern Abyssinia is TEAU. —- being enlarged, the arca north of Lake Rudolf.
particularly
in
REUTER.
Mr. J. L. Grassett, of No. 2, Diredawa Retreat
Jordan Road, has reported Following their withdrawal loss of $45 while travelling from Diredawa, the Italians in a Peak Tram between 4 p.m. and eastern Abyssinia are not expect-15 p.m. yesterday.
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children,
gun emplacements and specting the safety of
and including women German troops were daily becomes more difficult. bombed and machine-Reuter.
gunned.
Early in the morning, as al- ready
announced, two
tankers
were set on fire off Le Havre and left sinking.
Later a destroyer off the Fri- #an lelands was twice hit. She slewed round and came to stand still, listing heavily.
AXIS SHIP
RENDEZVOUS
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"
THREE OR MORE: GERMAŃ SHIPS-ARE BELIEVED TO: BE Our aircraft then flew low over MAKING. A RENDEZVOUS IN ΤΟ the islands of Terschelling and THE SOUTH ATLANTIC Ameland and bombed and ma- JOIN A CONVOY OF FLEEING chine-gunned gun emplacements AXIS SHIPS BUT IN MANY and German troops on parade. CASES THE ESCAPES HAVE Heayy casualties were inflicted on BEEN' FOILED. the troops. The parade dispersed.
At Guayaquil, the German Still later another sortie scor steamer, Cerigo, is aflame after ed a direct hit on an enemy sup-report that the Government plan- of ned to seize the vessel. Inter- ply.ship, one of a convoy.
eight vessele protected by war- national News Service,- ships and fighters..
From these operations two of
our aircraft, are missing."
In the attack on German troops
on a parade ground the Blenheims reared over only 50 feet above the ground and the crews saw the troops rush for cover.
PEACE FEELER
RUMOUR AGAIN
DURING AN ATTACK ON A (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
WERE
CONTE VERDE TO LEAVE SHANGHAI ?
Following the departure of the German freighter, Ramses, over the week-end, it is now reported that the Conte Verde, 18,700 ton Italian liner, is also preparing to depart, says a Shanghai mes-
sage.
The Italian liner is stated to have spent all day yesterday tak- ing on water and fuel. It is rumoured, that she would make a dash for Kobe where she would be fitted out as a raider-Reuter.
DEATH
LONG GREY HUT, AROUND ALTHOUGH THE REPORT JOAQUIM BAPTISTA, at his re- WHICH GERMAN TROOPS GANNOT BE CONFIRMED, THE STAND- STANDING, ON AN-LONDON "EVENING OTHER ISLAND, AIRCRAFT ARD" PUBLISHES A MESSAGE CAME DOWN TO TEN FEET. FROM MADRID, SUGGESTING A DIRECT HIT PRODUCED THAT ITALY HAS PUT OUT FEELERS IN THE JOLUMES OF BLACK SMOKE. PEACE
SPANISH BRITISH WIRELESS.
CAPITAL WITH A AN VIEW TO ARRANGING"
INTERESTING NEW APPOINTMENT
the
Reputed to be pro-British, Mr. Masatsune Ogura, head of vast Sumitomo Interests, has ac- cepted the post of Minister with- out Portfolio... in the Konoye Cabinet,, say,' a Tokyo message.
He is expected to become, the virtual dictator of Japan's econo mic life.-Router-
MATSUOKA TO SEE POPE TO-DAY
SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Mr. Matsuoka will be received by Pope Pius XII to-day. The conference between His, Holiness and Mr. Matsuoka is considered
of Importance in view of the known desires of, the former to at- Frange, peace,-International News
Service,
ARMISTICE. — INTERNATION. AL NEWS SERVICE.
sidence, 5, St. Joseph's Ter- race, Hong Kong, at 2.20 am. Wednesday, 2nd April, 1941. Aged 10 years. Funeral will pass the monument. to-day (Wednesday) at 5.15 p.m. No flowers by request. (Macão and Shanghal papers please
copy)
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