HARD PRESSED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 39, 26 November 1940, Page 5

HARD PRESSED.

PLIGHT OF THE ITALIANS.

GREEKS OCCUPY TOWN

LONDON, November. 24

The latest reports received in Athens from the front declare that .the Italians evacuated Pogradetz, near Lake Qchrida, before the arrival of strong Greek forces, while Greek cavalry are stated to have occupied Moskopolis, northwest of Koritza, after which they continued to advance along the valley in the direction of its junction with the Devol river.

The Greeks in the central sector are reported to have reached Frasheri. The southern divisions of the Greek Army are equally active and have captured the heights dominating Argyrokastron, where the aerodrome is menaced and two divisions of Italians are believed to be encircled.

The Greeks, advancing from the Kahunas river, captured Konispolis. Between Ivonispolis and Argyrokastron the Greeks are pursuing the enemy to Delvino and Santa Q.uaranti. The Italian forces mainly comprise mechanised units which were in the forefront of the invasion in the first week of the wav.

Greek aeroplanes are heavily active behind the Italian lines in the northern sector* It is revealed that the Greeks occupying the Koritza airport found the wreckage of Italian aeroplanes scattered all over the aerodrome.

In the centre of the front, the Italians are trying, without much success, to reform their lines inside Albania. In the retreat from Koritza, the Italians have progressed about 25 miles and it was reported earlier, but not confirmed, that the Greeks had captured an important road junction. They are not dallying to collect abandoned Italian' war material. The Royal Air Force lias been busy bombing the Italian lines of retreat to the port of Durazzo. Greek troops from Koritza are reported to have advanced beyond the town of Pogradetz. A Reuter message from Athens says that the Greeks passed right through Pogradetz, which is 25 miles north of Koritza, on the road to the Albanian coast. Using tanks, cars and motor-cycles captured from the Italians, the Greeks are moving after their somewhat elusive enemy.

Italian bases have been bombed by the Royal Air Force, the objectives attacked including Durazzo, which is now not quite as good for disembarkation, and flojf embarkation, ijf might} be! added, as it was.

In their retreat the Italians have been destroying, pillaging, raping and murdering, actions which accord ironically with their declaration in leaflets dropped to .Greek soldiers. These stated: “Greeks, the Italian soldiers are honourable and chivalrous. Do not bo afraid for your homes, property or your wives. The Italians will show respect for all these.”

A British United Press correspondent said that on a tour he saw rows and rows of abandoned tanks and armoured vehicles left behind by the retreating Italians. There were also many wrecked aerodromes, the loss of which the Italians were feeling, for they Avere finding it difficult to keep up anything like a heavy air offensive against 'the Greeks, British and Greek pilots, on the other hand, were increasing their pressure on the enemy.