GREEK SPOKE IN ITALIAN WHEEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 310, 31 December 1940, Page 7

GREEK SPOKE IN ITALIAN WHEEL.

IMPORTANT GAINS. One Quarter Of Albania Now Occupied. United Tress Ansoclntlon. —Copyrlcht. (Reed. 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. "The Times" Athens correspondent says that the new successes which Greek communiques modestly disclaim as "local operations" have in the last two days placed the (J recks in positions of strategic importance, which are liable to paralyse the Italians' plans and ruin their chances of a counter-offensive for regaining the initiative. The Italians have l>een prevented from reforming behind their stationary front. The Greeks now occupy over one-quarter of Albania, and "if the weather permits a similar rate of advance they might conquer <•» further quarter before the end of Januarv. A Government spokesman announced that the Greeks captured three villages to the north of Himara after storming the mountains dominating them, says a message from Athens. The Italians launched several counter-attacks, but none succeeded. The Italians, including Bersaglieri. who had been es|>ccialh- flown in, were heavily defeated north of Klisura, where the Italians used tanke in an attempted drive on the Klisura-Berat road. Brilliant Success. The Greek radio says that aTong the coast Greek troops have occupied many villages and fortifications. Thc-y had "a brilliant success at this point, capturing a height, strategically of the greatest importance, as it blocked the way of the advance on Valona, whose earlv capture is anticipated. " , On the Klisura front the Greeks captured considerable prisoners, including Bersaglieri units, newly arrived from Italy, and much war material. They occupied the northern heights of Klisura. On the northern front, despite a blizzard, the Greeks had new successes, capturing heights and taking prisoners. On this front they are advancing north of Pogradec. One detachment of the Greek right wing, attacking from the south-west, is reported to have forced the Italians, after a two and a half hours' battle, to retreat across the River Harboli over the only bridge in the vicinity. According to the latest information available in military circles in London, the Greeks have made further small advances towards Berat and also west of Tepeleni along the road to Valona, The Italians made a counter-attack in the Pogradec area, which the Greeks repulsed.