STRATEGIC GAINS INDICATED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23301, 10 April 1941, Page 7

STRATEGIC GAINS INDICATED

German Pressure In Balkans GREEK DEFENCE OF RUPEE PASS (Received April 9, 7 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, April 8. Officials in Berlin to-night declared they knew nothing of the accuracy of a report that German forces have occupied Nish and Skoplje, in Jugoslavia. The report was passed on by German circles in Budapest. But whether it is true or untrue that these towns are captured, a German estimate that their panzer divisions are advancing 28 miles a day in some areas, coupled with Turkish reports of the German occupation of Alexandroupolis, on the Aegean coast, 14 miles from the Turkish border, and the tone of the Greek announcements, strengthen the impression that Germany’s onslaught is resulting in strategic gains. In spite of reports that British troops have penetrated Bulgaria, there is so far no confirmation that British forces have made contact with the Germans. Meanwhile, Italy emphatically denies that the Jugoslavs have occupied Scutari, Fiume, and Zara. Because the Greeks have already announced that they are abandoning western Thrace, the German capture of Alexandroupolis is not unexpected but, as the Ankara correspondent of “The Times” points out, its expectedness does not alter the unpleasant fact that ‘Herr Hitler’s troops now established at Varna and Burgas, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and at Alexandroupolis are uncomfortably close to both sides of the Dardanelles, It is also reported from Istanbul that the Germans have captured Gumuljina, in Western Thrace. German Losses The German Army’s advance in Western Thrace is by no means costless. The Athens correspondent of the British United Press says that at places like the Rupel Pass and Usita tne Greeks are holding out in strong hues of pill-boxes dug intd the wooded slopes. These important fortifications form part of the Metaxas Line and are manned by crack Greek troops, against whom, almost without exception, the Germans have flung themselves unavallingly. , . . Furious fighting has occurred round Perithorion Fort, in the Belen mountain area east of the Rupel defile. The Germans obtained a foothold, but were driven out. The Greeks here repeatedly resorted to the surprise tactics which stood them in good stead in Albania. Frequently they held their fire until the attackers were at their mercy. The Germans suffered heavy losses in tanks. The Greeks are using large numbers of anti-tank Runs. The Greeks to-day captured 130 parachutists whq had been dropped behind the Greek lines. , 36-Hour Stand For 36 hours 150 Greek volunteers held up German forces in the Rupel Pass, though outnumbered by more than 20 to one. , .. The Athens correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency states that this Greek unit was formed with the object of covering the mam Greek forces as they fell back to pre-arranged positions. The unit held the first enemy thrust, inflicting terrible losses. For 36 hours the men clung to one fort, even fighting in the underground galleries, after the Germans had occupied the main fort on the surface. All the Greeks were killed. The Rome radio claims that the Germans have captured the Jugoslav town of Tekia. opposite Orsova. The capture of Tekia, adds the radio, indicates that the German advance from Rumania is’ in full progress and has already penetrated deeply from the Rumanian frontier. Tekia was taken after violent fighting. „ ■ , It is believed that the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army (General von Brauchitsch) is personally directing the offensive in the Balkans. A German communique states; In spite .of the countless difficulties of the terrain, and the destruction of roads the German troops’ attack on the Jugo-slav-Greek fronts was successfully continued in the face of a stubborn resistance Waves of German aeroplanes attacked military objectives within the fortress of Belgrade, and new, large fires were caused among sheds, installations, and the main railway station. Other bombers destroyed railway bridges, stations, and lines in the River Sava area. Direct hits were scored on transport and goods trains.” A Greek communique states that further important damage resulted to Piraeus, the port of Athens, through the explosion of a ship laden with ammunition after yesterday’s l raid on the port. The Italians bombed rural districts, causing only insignificant damage. RUSSIAN OIL FOE GERMANY DECREASE IN TRAFFIC (8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 8. The Minister for Economic Warfare (Dr. Hugh -Dalton) stated in the House of Commons: “Information shows that very little, if any, oil has reached Ger. many from Russia since March 1, but it is premature to draw the conclusion that this traffic has been stopped. SITUATION IN THE BALKANS HOPEFUL VIEW JUSTIFIED (Received April 9, 7.30 p.m.) , MELBOURNE, April 9. A hopeful view of the situation in the Balkans was justified by the latest reports received by his military advisers, said the Federal Minister for the Army (Mr P. C. Spender). However, he issued a warning against extravagant optimism, and said that further withdrawals might be necessary in Cyrenaica. SEA TRAFFIC TO FRANCE QUESTIONS ABOUT BLOCKADE BELLIGERENT RIGHTS x NOT WAIVED (8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 8. Asked whether, in view of the fact that traffic between Africa and France was nearly normal, mat the weekly crossings averaged 75, that ships passed Gibraltar from Dakar, Morocco, and Indo-China, largely unchallenged, he would take steps to tighten the blockade, the Minister for Economic Warfare (Dr. Hugh Dalton) said in the' Mouse of Commons that, while he was not prepared to accept these statements, the present state of affairs gave grounds for grave dissatisfaction. The British Government had in no degree waived its belligerent rights, and wherever interception was practicable blockade runners were brought into British control bases, and both the ships and cargoes seized. .He” was in constant communication with the First Lord of the Admiralty (irfrA. V. Altycander) regarding / measures for the itrict enforcement ol the blockade., ■ .v -A ■ ■. '■ .