1941-04-02 — Page 16

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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