BEHIND ENEMY FLANK THE KING AND LABOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 40, 27 November 1940, Page 5

BEHIND ENEMY FLANK

THE KING AND LABOUR

SUCCESS FOR GREEKS RETREAT BY ITALIANS \ URGED BY BAYONET CHARGES

(United Press Association —Copyright! (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. It is authoritatively stated in London that the Greeks have captured Pogradec.

The position at Argyrokastron is not clear. Some Greek troops are believed to.have landed on the mainland by ships north or Corfu, and to have got behind the Italian flank and cut off their communications. x

The Italians are sending all reinforcements possible to Greece. Italian prisoners teaching Athens are much inferior to those taken earlier.

Greek reconnaissance units pushed 10 miles west of Moscopolye. They found no Italians there but captured the colours of three Italian battalions.

TKe Athens correspondent of the Associated Press says that bayonet charges foiled the Italians’ effort to stem the retreat to the Adriatic. The Italians brought in the crack 42nd Division direct from Rome, buY the Greeks overwhelmed the counter-attack and are continuing their advance.

ITALIANS RETREATING.

REPORTED TO BE IN DISORDER.

GREEKS INI NEW POSITIONS

(United Press Association —Copyright.)

LONDON, November 26

The latest Greek communique says that Greek troops are continuing to advance and have occupied some new positions. It is estimated that four Italian divisions have been cut up or destroyed on the Albanian front since the outbreak of the war. The single armoured division with which Italy began the invasion has been thoroughly dislocated. An official Greek statement that 8000 more Italians have been captured helps to confirm unofficial dispatches that the Italian retreat is becoming more and more like a rout, although the precariousness of the situation varies according to the sectors. ‘ ■ After leaving strongly fortified positions afi Mount Ostrovitse, the Italians are attempting to form a new lino in the Tomor -mountains for the protection of the Italian stronghold at Berat, about .10 miles south of Elbasan.

The Greeks are having the utmost difficulty in keeping in touch with the fleeing enemy, many of whom have discarded their arms and are hiding in the mountains, where they are being hunted out by Greek detachments. One of the latest reports suggests that the Italians are even leaving Elbasan.

It is reported from Salonika that the Greeks captured several hundred Italians and 200 lorries at Pogradetz. The Italians are reported to have evacuated Argyrokastron on Sunday. All the roads are littered with abandoned material, which is seriously disorganising the retirement. Rain is contributing to the misery of the Italians, whose mechanised forces are bogged in valleys and on cliurned-up roads, many parts of which are like swamps. Tireless in Attack, In spite of the weather, the British and Greek air forces continue to bomb the Italians on the road between Pogradetz arid Elbasan, and are also carrying out. extensive reconnaissances. They have been tireless "iri their attacks, and among their latest achievements are very heavy and successful attacks on columns north of Ivoritza and Argyrokastron. The columns were broken up and lorries set on fire, and stampeding mules added to the confusion.

Meanwhile, a new danger threatens the Italians, as the . S'hkumbi river is likely to overflow its banks. Chagrin at the Italian reversal is reported to have caused the suicide of an unnamed former commander-in-chief in Albania, who calculated that 200,000 men were enough for a blitzkreig against Greece. But an article in the Cremona newspaper “Regime Fascista” is a more significant indication of Italian dismay at the Albanian situation. Its editor, Signor Roberto Farinacci, . who is a Minister of State, is the first Italian critic of the. Italian General Staff. He says: “Lack of foresight and military preparedness and also a badly chosen season for military operations have caused the happenings .at Koritza, but the Italians are feeling that their horiour is slighted and are now preparing terrifically i to defeat the enemy.” While tho Italiafi publicist was thus castigating Italian leadership,' General Sir John Dill, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, sent a message to General Papagos, the Greek Com-•mander-in-lChief, congratulating him on the success at Koritza and praising the valour of the Greek Army. General Papagos replied: “We are happy to fight side <by side with Britain to drive out the invaders.”

LONG TALK WITH LEADERS.

CONGRESS MEDAL PRESENTED. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. Their Majesties to-day talked with Trade Union leaders when they inspected 27 mobile canteens, handed over to the Y.M.’C.A. by the president of the Trades Union Congress (Mr Gibson). After the ceremony, Mr Gibson presented the King with the T.U.C. gold medal.

The canteens, with their crews lined up, and representatives of various trade unions, - headed by Mr Gibson, were present.

Their Majesties had long talks with union leaders, and afterwards walked down the lines of the canteens and spoke with the crews. They laughed and joked with union leaders. Mr Gibson,, making the presentation of the canteens to the Y.M.C.A. said: “They will bo used to provide succour to the civilian population, hut are primarily an expression of the love and admiration we have for our comrades in the fighting services and a guarantee that tlieir comrades in the workshops Avill provide the necessary instruments of offence and defence until in the field, factory and workshop, we are able to strike the final, decisive blow which will bring peace and victory.” The presentation of a Trades Union Congress medal took place afterwards in the quadrangle, when Mr Gibson handed the medal to the King, saying: “If you feel disposed to visit the Congress this will act as an open sesame.” A special gold badge, was struck for this-occasion, ft consists of a bar bearing the Royal arms, from which . the medallion is suspended.—British Official Wireless.