BRITISH RAIDS IN BALKANS

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

BRITISH RAIDS IN BALKANS

HEAVY ATTACKS ON GERMAN TROOPS RAILWAY STATIONS SET ON FIRE (Received April 9, 11 p..m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, April 9. Raids by British aircraft on German troop concentrations, motor-transport convoys, and railway stations are reported in the latest Royal Air Force communique dealing with the Balkan campaign. It says; “German military concentrations were heavily attacked by Royal Air Force aircraft during the night of April 6-7 at various places in Bulgaria. The railway station atGorm Dzumaya was bombed and several fires were started. At Simitly, concentrations were attacked. Bombs straddling the railway and road exploded near the sheds, causing many fires. “A motor-transport convoy was also successfully' machine-gunned. Petrie was raided by our bombers, but the full results could not be observed because of smoke from numerous fires burning in that area. “In bad weather, bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked large motortransport concentrations near Strumitza, just inside Jugoslavia. Direct hits were registered and much damage was caused.” The Official German News Agency says that Jugoslav aeroplanes raided Pecs, an important industrial and commercial centre in Hungary, at noon yesterday. Hungarian anti-aircraft fire, the agency says, brought down one aircraft. A message from Budapest states that main line passenger traffic on the Hun. garian railways has been curtailed because of extraordinary circumstances. Air raid warnings were sounded in several Hungarian towns. The Bulgarian Prime Minister (M. FilofT) yesterday addressed the < Bulgarian Parliament. According to a German version, he said that the Bulgarians were at their posts ready to protect Bulgaria’s rights. No Bulgarian troops were taking part in the war,' but Jugoslav aeroplanes had bombed Bulgarian towns, and Jugoslav troops had attacked Bulgarian frontier posts. According to a Rome report, the Sofia correspondent of the Italian Stefani News Agency states that in spite of the bombing of her territory, Bulgaria will continue., her policy of nonbelligerency. BRITISH AID TO GREECE MORE TROOPS ARRIVE LONDON, April 8. The Athens radio to-day announced that British forces have penetrated to Bulgarian soil. Not a day passes without the arrival of more New Zealand and Australian troops at Greek ports, from which they are speedily transported to prearranged positions. Dominion nursing units, in addition to large numbers of British nurses, have landed with the forces. The correspondent of the British United Press in Athens says that strong reinforcements which arrived since the earlier contingent have disembarked and are preparing to meet the Germans in the Macedonian mountains. The British land forces have not yet made contact with the enemy, and as far as can be ascertained are moving from various points in accordance with the strategy required by the general situation. The German Air Force has not interfered with the regular passage of troops and munitions. Many Italian guns and ammunition captured in Africa have helped to swell the vast amount of material flowing free across the Mediterranean under the ( protection of squadrons of cruisers and destroyers. All types of vessels, from luxury liners to battered tramp steamers, are being used to transport troops and supplies across the Mediterranean. Greek dock labourers are performing sterling work day and night in speeding the disembarkation of heavy artillery. Motor transport and mechanised units are thundering along the streets of Greek ports. ' The columns of Dominion troops hav.e aroused fervent enthusiasm. All sections of the Empire are represented, including Palestinians and Cypriots. The smiling Maoris especially appealed to the crowds. British land forces are occupying a pass from which they will be able to check a German advance through the mountains. AUSTRALIAN FORCES ABROAD STRENGTH TO REMAIN AT FOUR DIVISIONS CANBERRA, April 9. The Federal Government does not intend at present to increase the strength of the Australian Imperial Forces abroad to more than four divisions, said the Minister for the Army (Mr P. C. Spender). He added that the Army planned to enlist men at the rate of 8000 a month,, but this rate would not be continued indefinitely.