Two images which I have purchased showing the life of ordinary men and women in the Italian colony of Eritrea, soon after the invasion of Ethiopia.

Each has a caption, which I have transcribed

Asnara - queuing for water 1935

“Italy’s war base in the North.

Asmara, chief port (sic) of the Italian African colony of Eritrea, has become one of the busiest cities in northern Africa.

Centre of the Italian campaign on the northern front, all supplies and ammunitions pass through the town, which is on the railway from Massawa, the Eritrean port on the Red Sea.

The above photo shows a line-up of empty gasoline cans at the village fountain, which was used for the domestic water supply.”

Date: 17/12/35

Asmara market 1935

“Italy’s war base in the North.

Asmara, chief port (sic) of the Italian African colony of Eritrea, has become one of the busiest cities in northern Africa.

Centre of the Italian campaign on the northern front, all supplies and ammunitions pass through the town, which is on the railway from Massawa, the Eritrean port on the Red Sea.

The above photo shows a general view of the native market in Asmara.”

Date: 17/12/35

Source=https://martinplaut.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/life-in-asmara-eritrea-1935/