GREEK ADVANCES CONTINUE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 11

GREEK ADVANCES CONTINUE

Follow-up To Counter Attacks FAILURE OF ITALIAN EFFORTS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received January 31, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 30. The attempts made by the Italian Commander-in-Chief in Albania, General Cavallero, in the past few days to revive the Italian morale by a series of counter-attacks have so far met no greater success than delaying the cautions Greek advance. As each of these counter-attacks has been repelled the Greeks have followed up with small advances.

’There appears to have been no Italian counter-attack yesterday, but. according to the information available in Athens last night, the Greeks who still hold the initiative, succeeded, despite the bad weather, in further advancing their lines, taking o 0 prisoners and much material. . A Greek communique states- “ Limited operations were crowned witli success.” , , ~.. Strong Greek attacks northward oi Kelcvra today halted an Italian attempt to advance. A Greek advance began at dawn yesterday after several Italian reconnissance thrusts aimed ar finding Greek weaknesses. After heavy fighting the Greeks pushed their lines to new heights. The Athens raldo announced that in the past 24 hours Greek detachments in one sector dislodged the Italians and so brought the Greeks tn close proximity to an important military base. ~... Offensive action on a wider scope than the recent activity was also undertaken on the northern front, where local attacks resulted tn valuable 8 Another report says the Italian losses during the last .five or six days have been so heavy that General Cavallero has had to call off the series of local counter-attacks. He seems to be waiting for fresh reinforcements i\. men and material to arrive It is learnt in London that so t.ir in the Albanian campaign the Greeks have taken 16.000 prisoners. An agency correspondent in Albania reports that yesterday Greek troops occupied a most important height in the central sector after a fortnight s fighting. Much material and -o<» prisoners were captured, and it is estimated that: Italian casualties were considerable. HONOUR TO METAXAS First To Destroy Legend Of Axis Armies (Brllisb Ullielal Wireless.) ’(Received January 31, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, January 30. All Press references to the death of the Greek leader, General Metaxas, call attention to his great, contribution to the common cause of the Allied nations. “The Times” says: “When the history of this war is written, General Metaxas will bear the honour of having hist destroyed the legend of the invincibility of tlie armies of the Axis. The effect of tlie surprising victories won by tlie army which lie reorganized and redisciplined during tlie last four years can hardly Im overestimated. “Tlie eminent services he rendered to tlie consolidation of his country have been as important a factor in the Greek military successes as his rate military skill and his robust, discerning patriotism.” ~ Commenting on General .Metaxas quality of choosing able lieutenants, “The Times” adds, “There is every reason to believe that General Korizis (the new Premier), will be equal to tlie situation, and that under General Papngos (tlie Commander-in-Chiel), who has shown exceptional military merits in a difficult and successful campaign against a better-equipped and more numerous enemy, the Greek army is very obviously in most capab.e hands. Tlie “Daily ’Telegraph” says: “It will never In* forgotten that in an hour of fateful decision, it was General Metaxas who did not fear to cast the die, who rallied tlie Greek nation to defy the odds against them, and who inspired tlie brilliant strategy which gave spirit and dramatic victory to tlie Greek arms.” Tlie “Daily Herald” says: “In General Metaxas Greece loses a great leader, and Britain loses a staunch companion in arms. First, and foremost lie was a Greek and a sol'dier. Metaxii.s dies. Greece will miss his indomitable leadership, lint it is all Greece and not Metaxas or tlie Metaxas regime which tights this war, and Greece will go forward still.” JOY IN BRITISH VICTORIES Transjordan Leader's Message i British (Hlicial Wireless.) ( Received Jmiuary 31, 7 p.m.) RUGBY. January 30. Emir Abdullah of Hie Transjordan lias sent I lie following message to the High ('omiiiissloiier for Palestine and Transjordan:—"With m.v lienr: overfilled with joy and pride 1 request you to accept, and convey to tlie British Government my congratulations on the successive victories which have been gained in Libya, coupled witli my wishes for immediate and final victory by tlie will and help of God.” The Colonial Secretary, Lord Lloyd, replied thanking the Emir and saying: "I deeply appreciate your Highness s sentiments of joy and pride in tlie success of our common cause, and I share with you tlie hope for a final victory, to which we confidently look forward.’