the eastern column comprising mainly "bande", reached odweina on 6 august and then headed north west toward [[adadle]], a village on the tug argan, instead of towards burao ("tug" is the local word for a dry sandy riverbed). the scc and small patrols of the illalos, a small force of local levies normally employed on police duties, conducted a delaying action as the other british and commonwealth forces retreated towards tug argan. on 5 august, aircraft of the "regia aeronautica" attacked hargeisa at as the army began an artillery bombardment. at twelve light tanks advanced in line; three of the tanks were hit and knocked out by [[boys anti-tank rifle]] fire from the scc and the company of the nrr defending the [[hill station]].