OBSTACLE REMOVED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 11

OBSTACLE REMOVED

RANGE OF J3#J(*HTS

GREEKS WIN FIERCE BATTLE

LdNDON, December 13.

A message from Budapest states that the Greek Ministry of "Wax announced by radio that the advance on the entire front is continuing. The^ Italians were driven back near Tepeleni in the southrwest, and on the northern front the Greeks broke the resistance of

six Alpine battalions, capturing important heights.

Dispatches to Athens from the northern front say that the Greeks have smashed General Soddu's desperate attempt to recapture . the northern heights of the Mokra range, which was the greatest obstacle to the Greek advance towards Elbasan. The height? remain in Greek hands after, a fierce three-day battle of infantrymen on a front of 30 miles. The Italians ' were lost without support by planes, which the snow has grounded.

It is reported in Athens that the Italian air force is hampered,by the heavy bombardments by ■••that Allied air forces, which have severely damaged the airports of Durazzo and Tirana.

It is reported, though without confirmation, that empty cargo ships and transports have arrived at the. port of Valona, possibly fcr the evacuation of Italian troops.

Greek scouts reported that the famous Italian "Centaur" armour division, which had remained ' unbroken during the retreat, jettisoned tanks, armoured cars, and trucks in a ravins at Royusa rather than permit them to fall into Greek hands.