By May, Belgian numbers had risen to 2,500 men, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Dronkers-Martens.
The rainy season had begun, turning the main road from Sudan into mud, cutting off their communications and supplies.
The Baro and Sobat rivers were still too low to permit the passage of supply barges from the White Nile and the nearby Gambela airfield was too small for transport aircraft to land.
The only means of supply was by airdrop, forcing the Belgians and Congolese to halve their rations.
Several porters attempted to bring food in by foot 40 mi (64 km) from Sudan, but died of fatigue and undernourishment.
Some of the officers resorted to stripping the camouflage netting from their trucks and seining the Baro River for fish amid frequent outbreaks of Beriberi.
The Italians, encamped on fertile soil and well supplied, faced no such problems.
The Belgians were also subject to regular air attack.
By May, Belgian numbers had risen to 2,500 men, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Dronkers-Martens. The rainy season had begun, turning the main road from Sudan into mud, cutting off their communications and supplies. The Baro and Sobat rivers were still too low to permit the passage of supply barges from the White Nile and the nearby Gambela airfield was too small for transport aircraft to land. The only means of supply was by airdrop, forcing the Belgians and Congolese to halve their rations. Several porters attempted to bring food in by foot 40 mi (64 km) from Sudan, but died of fatigue and undernourishment. Some of the officers resorted to stripping the camouflage netting from their trucks and seining the Baro River for fish amid frequent outbreaks of Beriberi. The Italians, encamped on fertile soil and well supplied, faced no such problems. The Belgians were also subject to regular air attack.
Siege of Saïo