ITALIAN POSITIONS SHELLED

Evening Star, Issue 23723, 2 November 1940, Page 11

ITALIAN POSITIONS SHELLED

REPORTS OF BRITISH LANDINGS ENEMY'S SLOW ADVANCE PUZZLES BALKANS LONDON, November 1. British bombers, in addition to reconnaissance planes in Greek and Italian waters, are reported to have joined in attacks against military objectives on the Albanian border. Greek newspapers, in widely published reports of the attacks, declared that the British have established air and naval bases on Greek soil, and have already engaged the Italians at se*a. They also repeated the American broadcast that British troops, under the guns of the Royal Navy, landed on strategic islands around Greece. For military reasons the details cannot be given. Greek naval units heavily shelled Italian advance positions on the mainland opposite Corfu. No- Italian warships or planes appeared. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Sofia correspondent says the Italians’ slow advance in Greece is causing bewilderment in the Balkans. Messages from Rome ostentatiously describe the operations as “ a punitive expedition.” Axis propaganda even hints that the war will fizzle out when the Italians have gained a few successes for their prestige. The Rome radio says: “ The Italian advance is not being pursued with lightning speed because we still hope that the Greek Government will repent of its rash action; secondly, mountain fighting must be slow and sure, economising lives and material before a sweeping and conquering advance.” The ‘ Lavora Fascista ’ says that artillery trains have been placed at strategic points to protect the Italian coasts. Special surface craft will guide the fire from the trains.