Northern Front

Advanced elements of Gazelle Force continue their advance towards Agordat (Eritrea) and make contact with the forward Italian defensive line in the afternoon.[1] The abrupt deterioration of the situation leads Amedeo di Savoia-Aosta to order the immediate deployment of the 11° Reggimento Granatieri di Savoia to reinforce the front, while Generali Luigi Frusci (governor of Eritrea and Amhara), Pietro Pinna Parpaglia (commander of the Regia Aeronautica in AOI), and Claudio Trezzani (chief of staff of the armed forces in AOI) proceed to Agordat (Eritrea).

During the meeting, it is decided to assign the defence of Agordat (Eritrea) to Generale Orlando Lorenzini with the 4a Divisione coloniale, while Generale Angelo Bergonzi is given Barentu (Eritrea) with the 2ª Divisione coloniale eritrea.[2]

The RAF flies two lively sorties in the morning. A first Bristol Blenheim (T1823) is tasked to reconnoitre the road between Karora (Eritrea) and Elgheina (Eritrea) when the aircraft comes under ground fire. Flight Lieutenant Cecil Rowan-Robinson is wounded in the leg, and his observer, Pilot Officer Alexander W. Donald, takes over to bring the aircraft back to Port Sudan aerodrome (Sudan). The pilot nevertheless resumes the controls for the landing at 07:40; the wound appears serious, his name not reappearing in the ORB thereafter.

A little earlier, at 06:35, a second Bristol Blenheim (T1857) is sent to photograph the sector between Agordat (Eritrea) and Keren (Eritrea). Although an escort is to be provided by No.1 (SAAF) Squadron, the South African pilots fail to locate the bomber, which has to turn back owing to the presence of Fiat CR.42s in the area.[3]

Bristol Blenheim Mk IV of No.14 (RAF) Squadron. Source : 14 Squadron Association

Southern Front

Regia Aeronautica’s situation continues to deteriorate. According to the diary of Tenente Tardini (8a Squadriglia, 25 bis Gruppo BT):

“the squadron has only one serviceable aircraft; and even that assumes we accept as flyable a machine that has already exceeded its allotted flying hours.”[4]