Fall of Asmara

Series

Series Name

War Pictorial News

Issue

Issue No.

16

Date Released

21 Apr 1941

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1General De Gaulle Entertained at British Embassy in Cairo
2. 2Malta’s Air Defence
3. 3Battle of the Matapan
4. 4Reinforcements for Greece
5. 5Fall of Asmara
6. 6Adi Ugri

Story

Story No. within this Issue

5 / 6

Summary

The last stage in the battle for the Eritrean capital. Clearing roadblocks, erected by Italians on their retreat from Keren, by Indian troops and Royal Engineers. Columns move forward to Asmara, passing Italian wreckage and abandoned supplies. Italian soldiers and native levies given token of their surrender. Italian envoys bring notice of the town’s surrender. Just outside city, British representatives are met by a delegation: the Secretary General to the Governor of Asmara, Chief of Police and the Bishop, with other civil dignitaries. The terms of surrender discussed in a charabanc en route. The devastation caused by Allied bombing of Asmara aerodrome. The final surrender is signed at Government House. Italian Guard of Honour welcomes victors at Asmara.

Keywords

Politics and government; Vehicles; Weapons; Ceremonies; Colonialism; War damage; Military; Religion and belief

Credits:

Commentator

Rex Keating

This series is held by:

Film Archive

Name

Imperial War Museum Film and Video Archive

Email

film@iwm.org.uk

Web

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/film

Phone

020 7416 5291

Fax

020 7416 5379

Address

Lambeth Road
London SE1 6HZ

Notes

The IWM also preserves the original nitrate film copies for the World War II period of British Paramount News, Gaumont British News and Universal News.

Series held

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