Before Massawa, Apr. 9.
The last battle for the important port of Massawa began at 1 pin.
esterday after an 18-hour truce which had been granted the Italians to enable tham to consider the British terms for the surrender of the town, The truce ended when the Italian Admiral commanding the fort announced his decision, believed to have been dictated from Rome, to defend the port to the last, An exchange of gunfire obnounced the beginning of the battle and shortly after RAF. machines bombed Italian positions.
The Italian decision to Aight was conveyed by 9 staff officer who was brought blindfolded to the British Headquarters.
The Italians made no effort to de-fond a road winding wildly through the mountains from Asmara and, therefore, they could not hope to hold Massawa, despite heavy shore uns which they tumed towards the land, force of the Free French Foreign U-Boat Officers
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.