RELIEF COLUMNS IN CONFUSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 7

RELIEF COLUMNS IN CONFUSION.

SEQUEL TO RAID.

R.A.F. In Action Against Enemy Troops. British Official Wireless. (Read. 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 20. British airmen continued to support the Greek offensive and have carried oat successful attacks against Italian forces in Albania without loss. The headquarter* of the British Air Force in Greece announced that important military stores and large motor transport column® were successfully attacked in Tepelen area. Three separate motor and mule columns, which were being rushed as relief to the liardpressed enemy troops north of Koritza, were thrown into complete confusion by low-level attacks. Many vehicles were set on Are, lorries overturned and mules stampeded. All these operations were carried out in unfavourable weather. There was low cloud and rain over the mountains and ice-forming conditions. All the British aircraft returned safely. Italian Ships Bombed. A Press report states that a flightlieutenant who led one formation attacking Durazzo said: "It was one of the most successful raid* my flight has made. We got dead over the target and dropped bombs smack on the docks ami shipping alongside. One salvo fell among some barges, one of which was blown clean out- of the water. My observer saw it upside down." Another pilot stated: "We came down through a hole in a cloud bank over the harltour. Anti-aircraft fire was very heavy, but we went through and found our targets. I saw two heavy bombs explode dead in the centre of a big ship •nd another caught on fire." Long Raid on Corfu. The Greek Ministry of Public Security state* that the enemy bombed Corfu for nine hours yesterday. Very little damage was done and there were only a few victims. Nearly 400 bombs were dropped. The enemy also bombed Lixuri, killing six persons, including two babies. An official Greek statement that 8000 additional Italians have been captured I'clps to confirm unofficial dispatches that the Italian retreat is becoming increasingly like a rout, although the prccariousness of the situation varies according to the sectors. After |o i \ in" t t lipir strongly-fortified position* mi Mount U-trovit«e, the Italians are attempting to form a new line in the Toinor Mountains for the protection of the Italian stronghold at Berat.

The Greek* ha\t* tlie utmost difficulty in keeping touch with the fleeing enemy, many of whom ave discarded their arms au<l are hiding in the mountains, where '■ lipv are being hunted out by Greek detachments.