FIGHTING IN ALBANIA

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 7

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA

Battle Carried Over Border FURTHER GREEK SUCCESSES * Bombarding Important Italian Base 4 (British Official Wireleaa.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright^ RUGBY,- November 5. (Received November 6, at 10.3 a.m.) The latest Greek official communique states: “ On the' Macedonian front another height in Albanian territory in addition to those already announced has been occupied by our forces. Following actions at various points on the, front prisoners were captured as well as~ howitzers, machine-guns, and other materials. There is nothing else remarkable on the whole front, except air action by the enemy. Our aircraft carried out bombing raids and machine-gunned with great success concentrations of lorries and enemy troops at various points on the froht. Reconnaissance flights were also. made. Enemy aircraft bombed the towns, of Piraeus, Patres, and Yolo, as well as a number of small towns and villages without, achieving any military gains. There were a few people killed and wounded among the civil population. No damage was done to military, installations. In aerial combats and through anti-aircraft fire five Italian planes were brought down. One of our planes did not return to its base.” The latest important development is that Greek artillery has commenced a heavy bombardment of Koritia, an important Italian base in Albania. All the main roads from northern Albania to Greece pass through'Koritza, which is now dominated by the Greek forces on the surrounding heights. The Turkish radio, reviewing the fighting in Greece, expresses the belief that the Greeks will be able to capture Kortiza, and if it should fall into their hands, tha Italians would have great difficulty in sending reinforcements to any part of the front. One report says that a body of Italian troops was cut off on one sector of the front, and is in difficulties. It appears that they were sent forward into the mountains to try to take the Greek positions in the rear'', but lost their way and were gradually encircled by Greek forces. An Athens message says Italian bombers yesterday attempted to drop supplies to the Italians but th.e entire delivery, including 40 sacks of flour, fell into the Greek lines. One chocolate-laden bomber was brought down while searching for the Italian lines. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s - Athen's correspondent says the guerrilla leader Vardha is an 80-year-old Balkan war veteran.' The Italian force, of which he cut the communications, is reported to number 30,000. A Greek corps of 30,000 strong is being raised in Egypt and is placing itself under British command.

ITALIAN KEYPOINT

FALL OF KORITZA IMMINENT SNOW NOW FALLING IN MOUNTAINS GREEKS CAPTURE ANOTHER VILLAGE LONDON, November 5. (Received November 6, at 11.9 a.m.) It is reported from Belgrade that the fall of Koritza, the keypoint of Italian operations on the northern front, appears imminent. Planes are attacking the town, the fall of which would lead to the collapse of - the Italian offensive against the eastern gap in the mountains guarding the road to Fiorina, and would also seriously affect Italian operations on the central front. The Greeks have captured the village of Zemjalwaere, on the crossroads to Koritza and Lake Chrid. The Greeks are reported to have captured much military material, including many tanks. The Italians are bitterly complaining that the Albanians have hetrayed them. A message from Athens says snow is falling in the mountains on th? northern front, and is expected greatly to impede the Italian offensive if it continues. It is officially stated in Belgrade that three unidentified planes bombed Monastic in Yugoslavia, hitting a railway station and damaging an airport. Two people were killed and five wounded. AXIS CUNNING EXAGGERATING BRITISH ACTIONS (British Official Wireless,) RUGBY, November 5. (Received November 6, at 1 p.m.) An authoritative warning against paying too much attention to “ good news ” from Greece is issued. It is stated that Italian and German sources are busy cabling throughout the world, quoting Greek circles from Cairo, Athens. Belgrade, Ankara, and Salonika, and telling of British landings and actions with the object of causing dismay and disheartening the Greeks if the British aid- does not reach the heights of these rosy messages. It is ihe enemy’s intention to provoke denials, causing a blow to Greek morale.

IS ITALY BLUFFING ?

FAILURE TO MAKE LIGHTNING ATTACK CAUSES SURPRISE BRITAIN GIVEN TIME TG ACT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 4. The gallantry and initiative of the small Greek Air Force and the resourcefulness and dash. ..displayed by her troops have won the warmest com* mendation from Britain. The failure ,of the Italians to undertake that lightning attack' which seemed dictated _ b.T weather considerations in a campaign begun so late in the season, _ caused' surprise here. It is emphasised in the Press that the . fact is that it is the Greeks who," with small forces, have taken the’ initiative in the KoritzaSalonika road area, while in the coasti zone the Italian methods of advance have- been deliberate rather than dashing, and this has enabled the Greeks to make immediate progress with mobilisation and has accorded Britain time to put into operation plans already drawn up. ‘The Times’ says; “ Even if the whole affair is a piece of bluff masking preparations elsewhere—-perhaps ais the other end of the Mediterraneaninterest as well as honour compels-us, to. uphold the cause of. Greece, Nor would the. process oU assistance, to Greece necessarily weaken us in Egypt; on the contrary the acquisition of fresh naval bases would extend the power of the Mediterranean Fleetr.to maintain command of the sea and .new, air bases on Greek soil would; shorten the range for the R.A.F. against Italia* targets.” ‘ The Times adds: “ The Italian deliberation displayed hitherto must not blind us to the cstent of the peril in which Greece find’s herself, and it should be noticed that the Italians have already begun installing a formidable mass of artillery, while in the air Greece must have already, suffered severely. Here are can aid Greece as well as on the sea. The task is not easy and will require, all the ingenuity, resource* and,boldness of the R.A.F. and this Fleet Air Am. , We can also increasw the general pressure on the soil, which must provide the main base for opera* tiohs.” In view of the recent sufferings of the civilian population in Britain, and particularly of London, owing to the indiscriminate enemy bombings, special sympathy is shown by Britain in the general commendation in the Press lor an appeal by the Lord Mayor of London for subscriptions to the Mansion House Fund for the relief of war distress in Greece.