LOCAL SUCCESSES BY GREEKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 60, 20 December 1940, Page 5

LOCAL SUCCESSES BY GREEKS.

HEAVY FIGHTING NEAR COAST LONDON, December 19. Greek successes in the Ivlisura region are authoritatively described in Athens as a brilliant victory likely to influence decisively future operations, and a Belgrade messags says that reports from the frontier announce the Greek capture of Klisura, on the central front about 14 miles north-west of Premeti, after a bloody clash. Other reports, however, indicate that the main Greek success is the capture of heights dominating Klisura., The latest Greek communique speaks of successful local operations, and records the capture of numerous prisoners, including officers, and much material.

An spokesmen said that the official reticence of the - last few days was attributable to the nature of the operations/; but it is recalled that similar reticence in the past has ‘-been the prelude to notable Greek victories. There is strong evidence that the fierce Italian counter-attacks in various places in the Pogradetz and southern sectors are now weakening, reports the Athens correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph.” The Italians used troops who were rushed from Italy and thrown into the struggle without adequate preparation, and also the cream of the troops already in Albania, but none of the counter-attacks was successful. The Greeks dominate the highest point between the Dryno valley and the sea, thereby threatening both Tepeleni and Khimara, the capture of which Avas prematurely reported. . Fighting yesterday Avas especially heavy in the coastal sector and further east. A Greek bayonet charge on the coastal road near Port Palermo routed the Italian 4tl> Grenadiers, who are crack shock troops and the personal bodyguards of the King of Italy. A correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency found the barrack buildings Avrecked in Premeti, forming a grim mausoleum for 300 Bersaglieri and Blackshirts.

The Salonika, correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that the Italian Oomander-in-Chief in Albania (General Soddu) is believed to have instructed the Italians to make heavy counter-attacks in tho Pogradetz region on the first improvement in the weather.

The Italians are destroying all houses and buildings on the line of retreat to deprive the Greeks of shelter. Reconnaissance aeroplanes report that thousands of homeless Albanians are straggling along the; snow-covered roads. Tho Greek Commander-in-Ckief (General Papagos) has ordered, until a new decision is reached, Albanian civil tribunals to continue to functioix in the territories occupied by Greece. The Albanian code will apply except where it is contrary to the interests of the Greek occupation.