Northern Front

The border forts at Kassala (Sudan) and Tesseney (Eritrea), previously abandoned by the Italians, are taken early on 19 January, and the 10th Indian Infantry Brigade is ordered to move on Agordat (Eritrea) at 14:20 the following day.[1] At the same time, three Hawker Hardys of No.237 (Rhodesia) Squadron are detailed for armed reconnaissance patrols.[2] Gloster Gladiators and Hawker Hurricanes of No.1 (SAAF) Squadron are to provide air cover.

The Regia Aeronautica is highly active in seeking to slow the British advance, despite heavy losses. Fiat CR.42s claim two vehicles destroyed and five others disabled, though three of the fighters are themselves damaged. Savoia-Marchetti SM.79s and Caproni Ca.133s are also engaged, with four aircraft damaged (three seriously). One crewman is killed and four others wounded. A Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 crashes near Adi Ugri (today Mendefera, Eritrea), and another Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 is shot down during an attack to the west of a place named ‘Mount Tebu’. According to Christopher Shores, the Italians lose at least six aircraft and have three others badly damaged during the day, with eleven airmen killed and four wounded.[3]

In an effort to foment an uprising among the local population, the British decide to arrange the return of Negusä Nägäst Haile Selassie I. The Emperor boards a Vickers Wellesley of No.47 (RAF) Squadron, under the protection of Hawker Hurricanes Mk I of No.1 (SAAF) Squadron, to land at Umm Iddla just beyond the frontier and raise the Lion of Judah over liberated Ethiopian territory.[4]

Southern Front

The Regia Aeronautica is also active over Kenya, as six Italian aircraft bomb the forward landing ground at Dukana (Kenya), though they cause no significant damage.[5]

Three Fairey Battles of No.11 (SAAF) Squadron, under Captain Johannes F. Britz, take off at 03:35 to bomb Yabelo (Ethiopia) aerodrome. The bombing is carried out in a shallow dive from about 6,900 ft down to 2,000 ft, lasting roughly thirty-five minutes. However, although four Italian aircraft are reported camouflaged, the South Africans cause no damage owing to thick fog and heavy anti-aircraft fire.[6]