Post by Diarist on Apr 28, 2016 20:45:45 GMT 1
The ceasefire and surrender has been agreed to with 'troops in place'. Abyssinian troops are being told to stay south of the border except for those already in Eritrea; in the far west and from Shire. There is good reason to believe that if they do enter they won't voluntarily leave! There is a steady flow of Italian troops leaving Asmara and surrendering to British forces. They turn in their weapons, are registered, then led to POW camps. No allied troops have entered Asmara yet but a detachment is expected to enter soon in order to secure all chemical weapons. The Italians have assured us that they are all accounted for and are being guarded.
Further instructions from London are expected soon. Rumours are circulating that captains and lieutenants together with all enlisted personnel up to sergeants will be sent back to Italy but there are no troop transports available. They are just rumours though. They might as well be sent home because Italy is no longer a threat to anyone. What to do with those who want to stay? For some Eritrea is home.