Nairobi, May 30.
In fourteen days. an area of at least 10.000 square miles has been cleared of enemy forces in the Battle of the Lakes in South Abyssinia. In this area, annihilation of the Italians has been as complete as that at Amba Alagi and here again the Ttalians were caught between two forces. There it was Indians in the north ana South Africans in the south. in the loke district. it was King's African Rifles in the north and Gold Coasters ju the south, who cut off the enemy's advance or retreat. and to complete their encirclement there were lakes in the east and hills filled with Patriot Forces in the west.
On the southern front 7000 pri. soners were taken and even more in' the north, while it is impossible to assess the amount of material captured.
Of all the Italiang'in this area only 1000 men of the 24th divi sion are still to be accounted for, these have left the road, and, if any survive still, they are endeavouring to get round the northern end of Lake Margherita.
Xt is important to realize that this victory of South African forces, ably supported by Patriots, was no walkover. After many weeks of heavy fighting, enemy resistance collapsed just before, and not after, the Duke of Aosta's surrender.
The prolonged Battle of Uaddar: for instance, was one of th whole Abyssinian campaign.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.