War History Summary 7 - Second Italo-Ethiopian War 3: The Battle of Maychew and Ethiopia's Defeat

In early 1936, the Ethiopian army launched several counterattacks on the northern front to halt the Italian advance. However, Italy utilized aircraft and artillery to strike Ethiopian troop concentrations and supply lines. Notably, the Italian forces employed chemical weapons, a highly controversial act under international law, which the Ethiopian side repeatedly protested to the League of Nations. In the Battle of Maychew, fought from February to March 1936, Emperor Haile Selassie personally led his troops against the Italians but suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat. The Italian army rapidly advanced southward from the north, while in the south, Graziani's forces pushed back the Ethiopian army. The Ethiopians attempted to utilize mountainous terrain and guerrilla tactics, but struggled to counter Italian air support and mechanized forces. Ultimately, the strength of the regular army capable of defending the capital, Addis Ababa, was significantly weakened. As the Italian advance continued, the Ethiopian government had to prepare for the potential fall of the capital. Civilian casualties mounted, further intensifying the horrors of the war.