FOUR CUT UP

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 129, 27 November 1940, Page 7

FOUR CUT UP

ITALIAN DIVISIONS

FUGITIVES IN THE HILLS

LONDON, November 25.

It is estimated that four Italian divisions have been cut up or destroyed on the Albanian front since the outbreak of the fighting. The single armoured division with which Italy began the invasion has been thoroughly dislocated. After leaving their strongly-fortified positions on Mount Ostrovitse, the Italians are attempting to form a new line in the Tomor Mountains for the protection of the Italian stronghold of Berat. The Greeks have the utmost difficulty in keeping in touch with the fleeing enemy, many of whom have discarded their arms and are hiding in the mount- ; a ins, where they are hunted out by i Greek detachments. it is reported from Salonika that #ie

Greeks captured several hundred Italians and 200 lorries at Pogradetz.

All the roads are littered with abandoned material, seriously disorganising the retirement. Rain is contributing to the misery of the Italians, whose mechanised forces have become bogged in the valleys and have also churned up the roads, many parts of which are like swamps. Despite the weather, the British and Greek air forces continue to bomb Italians on the road between Pogradetz and Elbasan and are also extensively reconnoitring. A NEW DANGER. | Meanwhile, a new danger threatens the Italians, as the Shkumba Eiver is likely to overflow its banks. Chagrin at the Italian reversal is reported to be the cause of the suicide of the former commander-in-dhief in Albania, whose name was not anInounced. He calculated that 200,000 men were enough for a blitzkrieg against Greece.

However, an article in the "Regima Fascista" is a more significant indication of Italian dismay at the Albanian situation. Signor Farinacci, writing in this paper, is the first Italian critic of the Italian General Staff. "Lack of foresight and military preparedness and also a badly-chosen season for military operations caused the happening at Koritza," he says, "but the Italians, feeling their honour slighted, are now making terrific preparations to defeat the enemy." " While an Italian publicist is thus castigating the Italian leadership, the Chief of the British Imperial General Staff, Sir John Dill, sent a message to the Greek commander, General Papagos, congratulating him on his success at Koritza and praising the valour of the Greek Army. General Papagos replied: "We are happy to fight side by side with the Britons and drive out the invaders."