765.84/5012: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:40 p.m.]
538. According to reliable information received this morning Italian losses in the fighting on August 26 and 27 were far more serious than what is the general impression in my 533 and 536 August 28. Sudan Interior Mission which was relatively near scene of action learned from an Italian Askari that a force of over 300 Askaris was ambushed some 5 miles from the airfield and was completely annihilated. Another small force which went to its assistance lost nearly half of its men before it could extricate itself.
[Page 282]I am told that by way of retaliation bombing planes have been instructed to wipe out all villages within 30 miles of the aerodrome.
I have warned the members of the Sudan Interior Mission of the danger but they prefer to stay where they are. I have, therefore, again requested Italian Headquarters to do everything possible for their protection and this has been promised.