Germany Invades Yugoslavia and Greece

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13308, 7 April 1941, Page 3

Germany Invades Yugoslavia and Greece

GREEKS HOLDING ATTACKERS IN STRUMA VALLEY BELGRADE TWICE RAIDED BRITISH AND AMERICAN AID FORTHCOMING

London, April 6. „ troops invaded YugoGel ’an d G«ece at 5.30 this morn--SISVia Der a tirade by Hitler from Sin and a brief official pronouncemei re is so far little news of the Jting but for the following short from Athens. C(, m® on the Eastern front our forces nrP holding their positions and are ilrtcrmined to force the invader to remain on his own territory ” fhe attack on Greece is being made through the Struma Valley Sough which the Germans aer trying to force a way, but the opposition is strong. BELGRADE RAIDED TWO ATTACKS Belgrade has twice been raided, la the first attack by German bombers the station was destroyed as well as a quantity of stores, and fires were started according to the Belgrade radio. Since tlie second raid there has been no hews except that from German sources. VICHY REPORT A report from Vichy states that Salonika lias been raided. HITLER’S TIRADE In the speech preceding his latest act of aggression, Hitler gave his usual crop of stories and false accusations. Among the various reasons given were atrocities in Yugoslavia, the landing of British farces in Greece and the acts of the “Rebel” Government in Belgrade. NEWS OF ATTACK GREEK PEOPLE AT CHURCH As the attack occurred on Palm Sunday, most of the Greek people we at Church, and the first news was given in Athens when a Palm Sunday address at Athens Cathedral was interrupted for the purpose. The pebple in Greece are extraordinarily calm, and after the news was received they gathered in the streets waiting for the arrival of King George of the Hellenes to meet his •Ministers, and warmly cheered him on his arrival. Stirring messages have been issued ty both the King of Greece and the Prime Minister, calling on the people to stand fast to defend their freedom and honour.

HELP FOR BALKANS BRITISH AND AMERICAN Hitler’s speech having deceived no one, immediate promises of aid were given to the invaded countries by Britain and - the United States. Colonel Knox, secretary .of the Navy, declared that Germany would find Yugoslavia and Greece'tough. ITALY TAILS ON WAR DECLARED Italy has followed the example of her leader and Uas declared war on the two invaded Balkan countries. PACT OF FRIENDSHIP YUGOSLAVIA AND THE SOVIET Two hours before the German invasion of Yugoslavia a pact of friendship and non-aggression, coming into force immediately, was signed between the Soviet and Yugoslavia. A commentator over the Moscow radio stated that the signing of the pact indicated the desire of the Soviet Union “to see that the confines of the second imperialistic war were limited as far as possible.” Sympathy for Yugolavia has been expressed since the German invasion.