04. KEREN 1. MARCH 15, 1941

The advance to the Red Sea continues. 

Approximately 60 miles east of Agordat and Barentu is the Keren escarpment, a line of almost impassable mountains blocking all advance. There are a few roads through the escarpment, but the only one suitable for heavy equipment is through the town of Keren where there is a gorge between the mountains (the Dongolaas Gorge). The Dongolaas Gorge is overlooked by Fort Dologorodoc on the right, some fortified mountain positions on the left and the approaches to the gorge are under observation by the Italians who seem to have prepared good defenses.

In February an attempt was made by elements of the 4th Indian Division to take Fort Dologorodoc and the gorge, but the attempt failed - although some positions have been taken and held. A new plan has been devised; the 5th Indian Division will assault the fort, while the 4th will assault positions on the other side of the gorge. You will have plenty of air support, but armoured reinforcements have yet to arrive from Egypt.

In order to continue the advance to Asmara and Massawa the road through Keren must be taken.

