§ 42. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the military operations in the vicinity of Aden; and whether he can arrange for fuller information to be made public more frequently as to operations in East and West Africa, and other spheres of minor military operations?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am informed by the Secretary of State for India that there have been no military operations at Aden since the re-occupation of Sheikh Othman, as to which a communiqué was issued on the 26th of July last.
As regards operations in the North of the Cameroons and on the Nigeria-Cameroons border, notifications were published in the Press on 15th June, 17th July, 18th August and 2nd September, and there is no further news to communicate at present.
In the Duala area, the rainy season is preventing active operations.
In East Africa the military situation has not changed, and with the exception of some engagements of patrols (such as that referred to in the War Office statement published on 17th September) there has been no fighting in this area during the last two months.
In Nyasaland also there has been no-change in the situation.
On the Rhodesian frontier there have been engagements between patrols, and in the course of a more serious incursion by the Germans a post at Saisi was surrounded at the end of August. The post was, however, relieved with trifling loss.