Post by Diarist on Dec 20, 2015 15:11:47 GMT 1
Northern Front
On the Italian left the advance of I Army Corps has stalled although 2nd CCNN Division has made some progress. 2nd CCNN has received the most attention from Abyssinian Fairey IIIDs and the artillery. 18-pdr ammunition is getting low so it is only being used to counter Italian attacks. Without air superiority the Italian advance has lost momentum. In the centre the Eritrean Corps is making slow but steady progress. It has not yet reached the Abyssinian main defensive line. II Army Corps on the Italian right makes very little progress and is suffering heavy casualties. The Abyssinians are still holding their position at the end of the day.
Left of I Army Corps elements of the Dankalia Column have crossed the border east of Rendakoma threatening the rear of the forces defending Adigrat. The column has been attacked by a squadron of Fairey IIIDs from Mekele.
Abyssinian aircraft have been raiding a dozen forward airfields that the Italians have built. There have been numerous dogfights and the Abyssinians have lost more aircraft than the Italians.
The Abyssinian advance towards Tesseney makes little progress as the Italian resistance stiffens. A flight of Ro.1s are operating from Tesseney airfield.
Southern Front
The Italian forces have halted at Dolo but in the centre columns are advancing from Beledweyne towards Kelafo and Shilabo. Abyssinian aircraft have attacked an airfield NW of Kismayu as well as a couple of supply dumps.