PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23191, 30 November 1940, Page 13

PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH

Reported Capture Of Argyrokastron ITALIAN RETREAT CONTINUES (Received November 29, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. The forces on the left wing of the Greek Army continue their successful operations on a considerable scale. The British United Press reports that the Greeks took Argyrokastrbn this afternoon after two hours’ shelling and a hand-to-hand street battle which lasted an hour and a half. After the battle the Italians retreated toward Tepeleni. The Italians had left 2000 troops to defend the town when, at 2 p.m., the Greeks’ motorised force advanced on it. The Greeks forced their way into the town later in spite of the most determined opposition. A large part of the town was destroyed, and it is believed 300 are dead under the ruins. Five Blenheim fighter aeroplanes and three Lysanders joined battle over the town with 10 Italian bombers, shooting down three. One Blenheim made a forged landing. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the British and Greek fighters shot down seven, probably eight, Italian bombers in half an hour. One British aeroplane was lost out the pilot is believed to be safe. While the Greeks are consolidating their gains to avoid isolation, the most advanced units of the British and Greek air forces are taking over captured oases, halving the distance for raids against Valona and other ports, and intensifying the onslaughts against the Italians.

A spokesman for the Army In Athens said; “Thanks to the Royal Air Force, Italian reinforcements were unable to reach their destination,” Tile Associated Press of Great Britain says the remnants of the Italian southern armies to-night were reported to be in full flight up the Adriatic , o°ast, after a great Greek victory, A regiment of death,” composed of selected Fascists, the cream of the Italian Army, resisted stubbornly in an unrelenting battle which was continuous day and night for four days. An Agency message from Athens states that the Italians are retreating up the Adriatic coast, with British and «reek aeroplanes harassing their rooves. Seven Italian machines have oeen shot down. In the north a Greek cavalry unit cut off a body of Italians, who are thought to have a very poor C oiu Ce °f fighting their way out. , The Greek Government has made an *Ppeal for arms and material to the United States. . Reports coming through from Albania indicate that a big battle has been raging along the whole of the 150-mile iront during the last four days. In the southern sector the Greeks are pushing ?n to impor+ant Italian posts, and forcing them to make a hasty retreat. Many prisoners have been taken. A message from Lord Cecil, broadcast to the Albanian people, read: "Of “•I the outrages on neighbouring na“°ns committed in recent months by the totalitarian Governments, none has oeen worse than Mussolini’s sudden and treacherous attack on your country. For “ time and in spite of your courageous defence of your liberties, the Italian hordes were successful, but be » Well-assured that Nemesis awaits the fascist tyrant. . It would be fitting that our Greek “■lends, also fighting for freedom, Jhould with you and the British help , strike the first effective blow, whether or not that alone will bring Mussolini to the ground, in any case fhe friends of liberty and Britain will insist on the restoration of Albanian and promote by all the ®sans In their power the prosperity , w your heroic country.”

**n on Communists. —The Swiss ,J«ho states that a decree bans Com"JJWist organisations and prohibits the ■ employment of members of Communist JW anarchist organisations at muni- . Kipal and cantonal government offices, November 28.