Western Thrace

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1941, Page 8

Western Thrace

VIOLENT ATTACKS BY THE GERMANS

LONDON, April 7

It Avas stated that the frontiers of Greece were being defended with a determination unique in history, although the Germans were throwing in what was described as an "interminable number of German divisions." The German troops, it was said, were supported by hundreds of planes, tanks, and heavy and light artillery. Parachutists had also been used against the Greeks, the strength of whose resistance appeared to have caused the Germans some surprise. The German parachutists are being quickly rounded up.

The Greeks also claim that six German planes Avere shot down in flames yesterday.

German leaflets dropped over Salonika and other Greek toAvns professing friendship Avith the Greeks are being treated Avith the contempt, they deserve.

SAviss reports of the land fighting say that the German armies have not yet taken a single strategic point at the end of the second day's fighting along the Avhole Yugoslavia and Greek front, Avhich is 750 miles long.

The heavy Yugoslav artillery bombardment against the Albanian frontier, reported earlier, is apparently a prelude to a big attack on the northern flank of the Italian army. Avhich is already gravely harassed by the Greeks in the south.

A message from Ankara tonight, said that the Yugoslav Government had left Belgrade for an unknoAvn destination.

Berlin newspapers have seized on what they call the admission that British troops ha\ Te been in Greece for Aveeks as an excuse for their attack on

Greece

The Yugoslav Ministers in Berlin and Rome have not yet left for home.

Mr. Butler, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, received the Yugoslav Minister in London this morning and greeted him as the representative of a neAv ally. At the same time he handed him the text of a message sent earlier today by his Majesty's Government to the GoA'ernment of Yugoslavia.

The latest news of the fighting in the Balkans is contained in the following Greek communique: "The German attack continues with the same violence, and is being resisted by the small Greek force. The evacuation of Western Thrace is proceeding in a regular manner. On the Albanian front a strong offensive by the Greeks has resulted in the capture of 500 prisoners." Athens radio reports late tonight, indicate that in spite of heavy attacks by the Germans, who are now using parachute troops, the Greeks have straightened their line in the Struma area and have counter-attacked.

British bombers have been iv action in support of the Greek troops in the Struma Valley.