ALLIES’ SETBACK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 153, 10 April 1941, Page 6

ALLIES’ SETBACK

SHEER WEIGHT OF METAL.

CREEKS’ DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

TINY GARRISONS INFLICT LOSS. (Rec. 12.35) LONDON, April 9. Lack of reliable news from the Balkans, especially about the position of the British forces, is to be expected in the early stages of the campaign. Although it has created some anxiety there is no indication that British and Dominion troops have established contact with the enemy, states a military observer. At present the position, as far as can bo deduced, means that sheer weight of metal 'and air power has driven back brave troops who, however, cannot be compared to Germany’ strength or modern equipment.

A Berlin High Command communique states. “After we broke through the Rupel Pass and following the capture of .Salonika, the Greek Army oast of the Vardar laid down their arms. The Germans, after breaking the Metaxas line, occupied .Xanthe and reached the Aegean Sea. Following the capture of Skoplje wo crossed the Vardar river and took Tetovo 'and Prilop Mechanised armoured detachments occupied Nish and Maribor.”

It is authoritatively stated that no British troops are in the sector east of the Vardar River.

A Yugoslav general headquarters communique states: “We have been obliged to evacuate Skoplje, despite bitter resistance. Heavy Josses were inflicted on the enemy from the air in the Kaeanik Pass. In the Saribod sector our troops are stubbornly resisting enemy attacks. Tho offensive in Albania continues energetifcally on all fronts. Yugoslav troops are advancing toward tho interior of Albania. There have been local batles on the northern front.

The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press of Britain says that tiny garrisons of Greek forts in the Struma Valley fought hard, costing the Germans hundreds-of lives, tho bodies being piled up before a barrage from Rupel and other forts, which tho Germans have been attacking since Sunday.