THE CAMPAIGN IN ALBANIA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23232, 20 January 1941, Page 9

THE CAMPAIGN IN ALBANIA

Greeks Report More

Successes

REINFORCEMENTS FOR ITALIANS (Received January 19, n p.xn.) LONDON, January 19. ■lt is reported from Athens that the Greek campaign in Albania is developing satisfactorily in all sectors. Some fortified heights in the central sector have fallen to the Greeks who captured much material with them.

Reports from Belgrade indicate that the Italians are bringing up large reinforcements in all sectors, with many aeroplanes relieved by the Germans from the Mediterranean. A concentrated Italian air attack seems imminent. A substantial Greek success was announced in a communique issued in Athens yesterday. The communique said: “In to-day’s operations, which were to our advantage, we occupied points In fortified territory and captured 1000 prisoners, including a number of officers and Colonel Meneghetti, who commands the 70th Regiment of the 70th Division, the ‘Wolves of Tuscany,’ who recently disembarked in Albania.

The Greeks have made new gains in the Tepeleni area and also in the region beyond Klisura, but the advances are local because severe weather is restricting large scale operations. The Italians are moving supplies from the Klisura region, presumably as a precaution against a repetition of large losses. * Italian counter-attacks were repelled with “terrific losses." A Greek patrol captured an entire Italian patrol of equal strength. The newspapers estimate that Italian losses in Albania are 70.000, including the killed and wounded and those taken prisoner and repatriated owing to illness. .... , This Is one-third of Italy's forces In Albania at the outbreak of the war. The Greek Ministry of Marine has announced that the submarine Proteus sank an enemy transport, the Sardegna, in a strongly protected convoy. The Proteus has not returned. The Athens radio states the Wolves of Tuscany” prisoners admitted that Greek torpedoes sank the big Italian liners, Lombardi and Liguria, carrying troops across the Adriatic.

GREATER THAN EXPECTED

AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES AT BARDIA MELBOURNE, Jamlary 18, With the release of the third casualty list of the. Battle of Bardia, the military authorities announced that total A.I.F. battle casualties would be greater than was expected. The Minister for the Army (Mr P. C. Spender) said advice from the Middle East confirmed the original estimate of Australian casualties at Bardia as approximately 500. - , On January 15 Australian Army Headquarters in Melbourne announced that the total Australian casualties m the assault on Bardia were 296, made up of 31 officers and 265 other ranks. The number of Australians who were killed or who died from wounds was given as 17.

NEW GERMAN POSTAGE

STAMP

(Received January 19, 8.30 p.m.)

LONDON, January 18.

The Berlin radio announced that a new German postage “stamp is being Issued bearing the heads of Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, with the inscription: “Two peoples, one battle.'' The “Daily Express’s" heading over , this report is “One Licking.?' ’