SERIOUS THREAT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 41, 28 November 1940, Page 5

SERIOUS THREAT

ITALIAN DISEMBARKING PORT.

HEAVY REINFORMEMENTS SENT.

desperate efforts futile,

(United Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day,'lo.lo a.m.) LOjSIDON, November 27.

Press messages state that heavy reinforcements of crack Italian troops have been thrown into the light along practically the whole front in Albania, but desperate elfoi'ts to stem the manypronged Greek advances gained little success.

A serious threat, it is stated, appears “to be developing to Sante Quaranta, the port used by the Italians for disembarkation in. southern Albania. Fighting is heavy at Delevino, 10 miles by road from Santo Quaranta. British Official Wireless. ITALIANS FALLING BACK

GREEKS’ METHODICAL ADVANCE.

FOUR MAIN THRUSTS' DEVELOPED

LONDON, November 27. The Greek communique issued this morning is marked by the usual caution, but behind it lies a story of harassed Italians falling back everywhere.. At all points the Greeks are now well within Albania. .

. The Greeks are developing four main thrusts. In the northern sector, advancing from Koritza, they are driving north beyond Pogradetz and west through Moskopolis. On the central front the Greeks are 'pushing steadily on and it seems that they have reached Frasheri, from where a valley leads 30 miles north-west to the Italian stronghold of Berat:-

Thus Berat is menaced from two points, for the drive through Moskopolis is also heading towards Berat, From Berat the Italians’ second defence line leads to Valona. In the coastal sector the Italians are said to be resisting strongly south of Argyrokastron, and the Greek authorities are deprecating foreign reports that Argyrokastron has fallen. The methodical advance of the Greeks, the skilful placing of their artillery. and their accurate fire have given the Italians no chance of forming a front line of defence, and they are abandoning material in such quantities that some observers consider that the crack in the morale of the frontline troops is spreading to the supporting troops.

Winter has bitingly gripped the war fronts, .slowing down both the Italian retreat and the Greek pursuit in raindrenched valleys and snow-clad mountains. In the fighting near Argyrokastron, the Greeks are using light and medium tanks. Another Greek force is pushing along the coast toward Santo Quaranti.