Post by Diarist on Mar 20, 2016 13:38:19 GMT 1
The Italian 5th Alpini Division has passed through Asmara first and is attacking the British right flank west of the main Massawa airfield. They have considerable self-propelled artillery support but the shells have been landing short of the runway. The British 152d Infantry Brigade has been defending tenaciously. The 2nd Eritrean Division entered the battle later in the morning but they have little offensive capability.
Around lunchtime reports were arriving that the Italians had used chemical weapons against the Tigray Sefari in the Shire who are attempting to outflank the Italian right. It had a devastating effect on the Abyssinians who fled the battlefield in total disarray. Encouraged by this success the Semien Sefari near Shambuko were targeted next with a similar result. The commander of the 51st Highland Division, Major-General Brownrigg, decided to respond in kind by using captured artillery shells against the Italian 5th Alpini. A few captured Italian aircraft were also used. They could deliver the chemicals as an aerosol as if crop-dusting. They were first used against the 2nd Eritrean then the 2nd CCNN Division. The enemy was also unprepared for this new turn of events and all offensive operations were effectively halted.
The 5th Alpini Division was again bombarded with chemical weapons until late into the evening. The RAF has flown over 150 sorties mainly bombing and strafing Italian columns but also supply dumps. By nightfall the Italians had retreated in the direction of Asmara.
The British 154th Brigade had succeeded in capturing Keren, NW of Asmara, but could make little progress afterwards.