ABLE LEADERSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1940, Page 7

ABLE LEADERSHIP

THE GREEK FORCES

REVIEW OF A MONTH OF WAR

ITALIANS LET DOWN?

(British Official Wireless.) (Received December 3, 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, December 2.

The Greek-Italian war has been raging for a month. Reviewing events of the campaign, authoritative military commentators point out as the most striking feature that the war, which began with an unprovoked invasion, now becomes an effective cOunter-attack carried out in Albania. Even on the coastal sector there are now no Italian troops in Greece other than prisoners. Originally the Greek plan must have been purely defensive, with the object of protecting Salonika, and the fact that in the northern sector the Greek counteroffensive has been most effective testifies to the brilliance of the Greek generalship. Informed military commentators emphasise the importance of the capture of Koritza. The Italian offensive was pressed forward less thoroughly in the northern sector than elsewhere. It is considered that further advance in the central sector would lead the Greeks into open and relatively flat country where the Italian modern mechanised troops could operate with advantage. Military circles discount stories' that the Italians lack fighting power. The comment is made that it is only when the Italians are surrounded that they surrender. On the other hand, it is considered that Italians troops have been sacrificed to political needs and let down by bad organisation and planning. The Greeks have turned this to very good account and the conduct of the Greek army, which has had to fight every bit of the way, has been distinguished by brilliance in the High Command and skill, determination, and courage, in the lower ranks.