Post by Diarist on Jan 23, 2016 17:44:41 GMT 1
Northern Front
On the far Abyssinian left the advancing Gojjam Sefari, under Ras Imru Haile Selassie's command linked up with allied troops coming south. The road to Tesseney was open. The Gojjam Sefari continued to Tesseney while the Wolqayt and Semien Sefari, (mountaineers), were heading on tracks northeast to the town of Barentum, 85km east of Tesseney. The Fairey IIID squadron was transferred to Tesseney and became part of the 3rd RAF Wing. The Karora battlegroup continued advancing south towards Agordat. There was little resistance.
At Massawa all elements of the 51st Highland Division had disembarked and ammunition transporters are being offloaded so that the fleet can also resupply. Major-General Brownrigg has sent patrols to the west and south in search of defensive positions. All patrols are well within range of naval gunfire. The captured material is being put to good use. Extra MG and mortar sections have been added to all the infantry companies. It is hoped that the defensive perimeter will be completed by the end of the day. The 5th RAF Wing has been transferred from Port Sudan to Massawa airfield as well as 55th RAF Squadron from Aden, (Wapiti IIA's).
In the Abyssinian centre the Italian forces are being followed hotly but the terrain favours the defence. At the end of the day, the Abyssinians had advanced less than 10km. The 5th (Pusteria) Alpine Division from I Army Corps, the 19th (Gavinana) Division and 3rd (21 April) CCNN Division from II Army Corps as well as the 1st (23rd of March) CCNN Division and 2nd Eritrean Division from the Eritrean Corps have been detached from their respective Corps Hq's and are regrouping north of the border. Many support elements are also being withdrawn. The rear-guard is left to the 24th (Gran Sasso) Division, 1st Eritrean Division, 30th (Sabauda) Division and 2nd (28th of October) CCNN Division from west to east.
The Dankalia column on the extreme Italian left has been ordered back to Arafali on the coast to block a possible French advance from Assab. Brig. Gen. Oreste Mariotti can count on receiving no reinforcements because all roads from the main front lead to Asmara. The regrouping forces can not march directly to the port of Massawa.
In Assab the French forces halted having achieved their prime goal. Their advance is expected to resume tomorrow.
Southern Front
Kismayu was captured in the early morning. The 11th Indian Brigade remains in the port while the 5th and 7th Brigades advance towards the capital, Mogadishu. The 7th RAF Wing will be transferred to Kismayu as soon as the airfield has been repaired. 3rd Heavy Cruiser Squadron with HMS Raleigh and others bombarded facilities in Mogadishu.
To the north the 3rd East African Brigade encountered Italian forces in Baidoa which had retreated from Wajid. Little was achieved initially but the 2nd East African Brigade arriving from Dolo carried the attack home. The 1st East African Brigade advanced eastwards through Luuq and Wajid towards Xuddar, NW of Mogadishu and SW of Beledweyne. Abyssinian forces are pursuing Italian forces from the 29th Division (Peloritana) Division which had ventured towards Kelafo and Shilabo. The bulk of the division has yet to be engaged.