STILL ATTACKING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 12

STILL ATTACKING

THE GREEK ARMY

INITIATIVE IN ALL v SECTORS

QUICKER ADVANCE IN

SOUTH

XBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) [(Received December 14, 2 p.m.) '? LONDON, December 13. The Greeks maintain the initiative in all sectors and continue their advance all along the front, although slowly in the central and northern sectors. The Greek forces in the south have accelerated their advance and now seriously menace Khimara, from which they are only five miles distant. The Italians, concentrating on the heights in front of Khimara, drafted in fresh troops to relieve units which had been worn out with the rapid retreat and the relentless Greek attacks, but the Greeks have quickly dealt serious blows at these troops, many of which have already been taken prisoner. A Greek column on the coast has joined up with the column which is pursuing the Italians from Argyrokastron. The latter column is already two miles from Tepelini. The two columns together occupied Fort Borsi, three miles from Port Palermo. Thus the Greeks have full lateral communication from the coast to the region 'of Klisura. The Italians therefore face formidable forces on what possibly will be their last effective defence positions before Valbna. The "Daily Telegraph" points out that it is difficult to see how Valona can hold out if these defences fall, but the Italians have already begun the evacuation of Tepelini after suffering heavy losses. LONDON, December 13. The Greeks have made important advances. An Athens communique tonight states that violent action by Greek troops brought favourable results. According to other messages, Greek soldiers, on learning of the British success in" Egypt, said: "We must advance more quickly; we must have the honour of driving the Italians into the sea." One message says that the Italians are moving material from Khimara. In the north, the battle has been resumed, and in the central sector the Greeks have gained further ground. They are now moving steadily northwest and have established themselves firmly among high ranges in this region.