SLIGHT RETREAT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 24, 8 November 1940, Page 6

SLIGHT RETREAT

GREEKS ON EXTREME LEFT. GAINS IN.ALBANIA HELD (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, November 7. A Greek communique /admits slight retreat on. the extremity of the Epirus front. It states that there was an exchange of artillery lire yesterday along the whole northern front. The Greek troops on the extreme/ left near the Sea coast have fallen back slightly, otherwise the news from the front continues to give satisfaction. All the gains in Albania are reported ,to be firmly held. The reinforced Greeks have taken nine Howitzers, four field pieces and 32 machine-guns, besides prisoners cun the central front, whore the Italian force was cut off in the Pindus region. Most of tbfo captures were made as isolated units attempted to escape from the trap in a network of deep.ravines. The Greek Ministry of Security announced that Italian raiders destroyed the church at Volo, damaged a monastery, and bombed Corfu, Paras, Corinth and Larissa. Insignificant damage was also done at a. seaside resort, where a. few women and children were killed.

British planes co-operated with the Gueek Air Force in patrol work on raids yesterday. British bombers attacked towns and ports i:tii Southern Italy and poivts in Albania. Vlona, an important receiving base for the Epirus front, was heavily damaged. Italian pilots brought dawn in recent raids lave arrived at Ath/sns. They said: “We understood that Greece would mot defend herself.” The/ first British airman to die for /Greece is being bujried with military honours to-day.

ct. All unconscripted workers aged between 1.6 and 60 are mobilised for the var effort-.