FIGHTING IN GREECE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25240, 19 July 1947, Page 9

FIGHTING IN GREECE

GUERRILLA FORCE ENCIRCLED SPITFIRES IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS ATHENS, July 17. Greek Government forces have encircled between 1500 and 1800 guerrillas in the Pindus Mountains. 20 miles north-east of Janina. Rocketfiring Spitfires assisted the Government forces, who took 312 prisoners during the day. The Janina correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph’’ says that the action is in the mountainous, densely-forest-ed Zagora area, east of the Janina road to the frontier. He adds that the guerrilla forces will either be wiped out or. because of the difficult terrain, small groups may escape to rejoin the bandits in the Grammes Mountains area. In any event, the immediate threat has been overcome.

The Greek News Agency says that guerrillas are hiding in small parties in the woods and ravines and avoiding any pitched battle. An official report says that 210 guerrillas were killed, 150 wounded, 14 taken prisoner, and 50 surrendered in the first week in July. The Communist newspaper “Elleftheri Ellada” quoted a broadcast from the guerrilla radio saying it was essential to create an independent Communist government in the “free regions” of Greece. The radio said that the guerrilla leader, General Markos, had announced that the guerrillas were willing to come to terms with the Greek Government if their demands were met.