GREEK SUCCESSES IN ALBANIA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 128, 24 February 1941, Page 7

GREEK SUCCESSES IN ALBANIA

Intense Air Fighting LONDON, February 21. Better weather has enabled the Allies to intensify their bombing and machinegunning of Italian positions and encampments in Albania, with good results. Greek troops have achieved new successes, notably in one engagement in which an Italian battalion was almost wiped out. Italian troops in another operation 'on the central front resisted to the last. Their losses were terrible, most of the force being killed and some captured. A very few escaped before the position was taken with the bayonet. The Italians lost 20 officers. In a desperate effort to ward off persistent blows from the British and Greek air forces, the Italians are putting up large formations of fighters inAlbania, but. they are suffering heavy Highly successful actions which were fought by R.A.F. squadrons over Albania yesterday are a feature of a Middle East communique from R.A.F. headquarters. This states that the R.A.F. was again very active in Albania yesterday. A particularly heavy raid was made on Herat, where barracks were badly damaged and a number of fires were started, followed by explosions. At Tepeleni enemy stores and troop concentrations were successfully attacked, much damage and confusion being caused. T’;e British bombers were escorted by fighters in these raids, and in engagements with the enemy seven of I heir fighters were shot down without loss to the R.A.F. Other enemy aircraft were severely damaged. (Received February 23, 9 p.m.) LONDON, February 22. Greek headquarters communique I states that activity is restricted to i patrols tit some points on the front and i the exchange of fire beween the artillery and infantry. The latest Greek successes in I Albania have enabled the artillery to | oceup.' comma mil ng positions. Re- i furring to these, the Athens radio says | that the Greek artillery can now oper- | ate with the greatest accuracy as the new positions won dominate the area of their main objectives.

Reuter’s correspondent in Athens .-ays the Greek successes are in the north beyond I’ogradee and on' the central front.