CAPTURE OF ARGYROKASTRON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 43, 30 November 1940, Page 5

CAPTURE OF ARGYROKASTRON.

BRITISH PLANES TAKE PART BATTLE ON 150-MILE FRONT.

LONDON,' November 28

The forces on the; left wing of the Greek army continue their successful operations on, a considerable scale. The British United Press reports that the Greeks took Argyrokastron this afternoon after two hours’ shelling and a hand-to-hand street battle which lasted an hour and a. half. After the battle the Italians retreated toward Tepeleni. The Italians had left 2000 troops to defend the town when, at 2 p.m., the Greeks ’motorised force advanced on it. The Greeks forced their way into the town later in spite of the most determined opposition. A large part of the town was destroyed, and it is believed 300 are dead under the ruins. Five Blenheim' fighter aeroplanes and three Lysanders joined battle over the town with 10 Italian bombers, shooting down three. One Blenheim made a forced landing. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the British and Greek fighters shot down seven, probably eight, Italian bombers in half an hour. One British aeroplane was lost, but the pilot is believed to be safe. While the Greeks are consolidating their gains to avoid isolation, the most advanced units of the British and Greek air forces are taking over captured bases, halving the distance for raids against Valona and other ports, and intensifying the onslaughts against the Italians. A spokesman for the .Army in Athens said “Thanks to the Royal Air Force, Italian reinforcements were unable to reach their destination.” Remnant in Flight. The Associated Press of Great Britain says the remnants of the Italian southern armies to-night were reported to he in full flight up the Adriatic coast, after a great Greek victory. A “regiment of death,’ ’ composed of selected Fascists, the cream, of the Italian Army, resisted stubbornlv in an unrelenting battle which was continuous day and night for four days. An Agency message from Athens states that the Italians are retreating up the Adriatic coast, with British and Greek aeroplanes harassing their moves. Seven Italian planes have been shot down. In the north' a Greek calavry unit cut off a body of Italians, who are thought to have a. very poor chance of fighting their way out.

The Greek Government has made an appeal for arms and material to the United States. \

Reports coming through from Albania indicate that a big battle has been raging along the whole of the 150mile front during the last four days. In the southern sector the Greeks are pushing on to important Italian posts, and forcing them to make a hasty retreat. Many prisoners have been taken.

A message from Lord Cecil, broadcast to the Albanian people, read: “Of all the outrages on neighbouring nations committed in recent months by tlie totalitarian Governments, none has been worse than Mussolini’s • sudden and treacherous attack on your country. For a time and in spite of your courageous defence of your liberties, the Italian hordes wens successful, but be well assured that Nemesis awaits the Fascist tyrant.

“It would be fitting that our Greek "friends, also fighting for freedom, should with you and the British help to . strike ..the first- effective blow. Whether or not that alone will bring Mussolini to the ground, in any ease tine friends of liberty and Britain will insist on the restoration, of Albanian independence and promote by all the means in their power the prosperity of your heroic country.’’