Italy's Warships Refuse Fight

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 283, 28 November 1940, Page 7

Italy's Warships Refuse Fight

CHASED BY BRITISH

R.A.F. Plays Havoc With Enemy Land Forces In Albania (British Official Wireless.—Rend. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, November 27. An Admiralty communique states: "Information has been received that our naval forces in the Mediterranean made contact shortly before noon to-day with an Italian force reported to consist of two battleships, accompanied by a large force of cruisers and destroyers. "Immediately on becoming aware of the approach of our forces the enemy altered its course and retired at high speed towards its base. Our forces pursued, and it is known that they engaged the enemy at extreme range. Full details are not yet available." A cable message quotes a R.A.F. communique issued in Cairo as stating: "The R.A.F. continued to assist the Greek advance in Albania, harassing retreating Italians. It attacked with machine-gtfhs three enemy columns, comprised of a motor transport, pack mules and infantry, in the Elbasan district, and set fire to three large motor transports. Many others were damaged or overturned on the roadside and a number of mules were killed. The remainder stampeded. Casualties among the infantry are believed to be heavy. Whole columns were thrown into panic and confusion. "Other convoys were attacked at Tepelena. Bombs fell among a motor transport, pack mules and stores. Argyrokastron was bombed and damage caused." Press messages state that heavy reinforcements of crack Italian troops have been thrown into the fight along practically the whole front in Albania, says British Official Wireless, but despite efforts to stem the many-pronged Greek advances have 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 Deleving, ten miles by road from Sante Quaranta. Winter's Biting Grip On War Fronts. Winter has laid its biting grip on the Italian and the Greek war fronts, slowing down both the Italian retreat and the Greek pursuit. Rain has drenched the valleys and snow is falling in the mountains. A Greek communique last night stated: "The movements of our troops continue successfully on Albanian territory. "Among other booty in the neighbourhood of Korea we seized six abandoned enemy aeroplanes. Enemy bombers displayed some activity on the front and bombed ten villages at Epirus and non-military objectives in Corfu and Cephalonia."

Heavy fighting is reported to have followed an Italian stand on the road from Argyrokastron, where the Greeks are using light and medium tanks. Another Greek force is pushing along the coast towards Sante Quaranta.

Fierce hand-to-hand fighting at the entrance to the town preceded the Greek capture of Pogradec. Over 300 Greeks were killed and 700 were wounded, but the Italian losses were three times as great. Aeroplanes of the Italian "suicide" squadrons are reported to have protected 14 transports which yesterday landed new contingents at Durazzo, from which port they immediately went inland.