GREEK VICTORY

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 9

GREEK VICTORY

ITALIAN FORGE SURROUNDED FOUR THOUSAND TROOPS CAPTURED ANOTHER ALBANIAN HEIGHT TAKEN Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November G. The Greeks captured 4,000 wellequipped Italians stranded in a ravine in Santa Aporos Valley, in ■ the Korea district. The Greeks closed the entrances and captured the Italian rearguard. They then opened fire cn the main force, many of whom abandoned their arms and surrendered. The remainder fled to the ravine exits and met a heavy fire, after which the Greek cavalry compelled them to surrender. The Balkans correspondent of ‘ Tho Times ’ says -the Greek communique’s announcement of the capture of another Albanian height presumably refers to heights opposite Morova Planina, northward of Zembak, or more probably the Strana Heights, northeastward of Bechlista. Whichever is correct the capture materially improves tho position of the Greeks occupying spurs of Morova Planiua, because of a complete coverage of tho Florina-Korca road as far as Zembak. The Italians are persistently seeking to establish bridgeheads across tho Kalamas River near the mouth, and the Greeks have at least been twice thrown back across tho river, where marshes hamper the enemy’s use of tanks. Although there are no large-scale battles in this sector, there are continual back and forth movements in which tho Greeks have taken some prisoners.

The first Italian prisoners to reach Salonika are 20 and 21 years of age. All were very dejected. They said they were transported to Albania without knowing their destination. The morale of all the troops in Albania is poor.

According to Greek sources, British bombers are participating in the raids on Korea.

The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Athens correspondent says that reasons justifying sober confidence in official circles include; —

First, the firmness with which the Greek advance lines are being held against Italian attacks. Secondly, the Greeks are not adopting “ Gamelin ” negative strategy, but are counter-attacking, thrusting deeper into Albania.

Thirdly, Italian thrusts must be made on mountain roads and in valleys liable to isolation.

Fourthly, circumstances belied Italian hopes for ‘ victory by lunchtime.” Fifthly, the magnificent morale of the Greek troops and civilians has been unrivalled since the independence movement in 1921.

Sixthly, palpable distress is shown in Italian communiques, which blame the weather for lack of success, although Italian bombers to-day unsuccessfully attacked Pirseus and two other points in the Athens area. The raiders are reported to have come from Italy, instead of the usual base in the Dodecanese Islands.

HEAVY FIGHTING GREEKS TAKE FORTIFIED HEIGHTS ITALIANS ATTACKED BY OWN TANKS ATHENS, November 6. (Received November 7, at 9.10 a.m.) A Greek High Command communique states; “We occupied a new series of fortified heights with semi-permanent defences in Albania after heavy fighting, and captured two guns, mortars, many machine guns, material, and prisoners. Withdrawing, the enemy sections were attacked by their own tanks. “ There wore heavy artillery bombardments at places on the remainder of the front. Our planes successfully bombed Korea and Gjinokaster, destroying a considerable number of grounded planes, hangars, and bivouacs. All our planes returned undamaged. The Italians bombed various points on the front, in addition to towns and villages in the interior, but did not hit military installations. The enemy lost two bombers on Tuesday.” The Greek Ministry of Public Security, in a communique, reports that since October 28, 219 civilians have been killed and 690 wounded in air raids. Three Italian bombers coming from Albania made a half-circle over Greece and then entered Yugoslavia in tho direction of Monastic at 1.50 p.m., shortly before Monastir was bombed. ITALIAN COMPLAINTS APT TURKISH RETORTS ANKARA, November 6. (Received November 7, at 12.40 p.m.) The newspaper ‘ Ulus,’ replying to Italian criticism that the Turkish Press is not publishing Italian victories, points out that there are no victories to report. Replying to an Italian claim that they are really fighting England, ‘ Ulus ’ says there were no British forces in Greece when the Italians attacked, but the B.E.F. in Egypt had long been waiting for Graziani to attack. Italy wanted cheap victories at the expense of a small State.

MAIN ATTACK DUE GREEKS HOLD ALL GAINS LONDON, November G. (Received November 7, at 11.15 a.iu.) It is authoritatively stated in London that the main Italian attack on Greece can be expected at any time. The Greeks are now fighting on the western side of Lake Presba. The Italians are apparently holding Bcchlista, but are under Greek fire. Activity in the Pindus sector is apparently connected with the detachment of the Alpini, the crack Italian regiment, which has been cut off. The Greeks took prisoner at least 100, and captured machine guns, wireless, and other equipment. Italian planes dropped food for the Alpini at Metsovo, but the Alpini have not succeeded in reaching there. The Greeks are most grateful for the gifts. The Italian attacks at the Kalamas River have not yet developed ; the weather is severe. The Greek General Staff is reported to be fully satisfied with the course of events All Greek gains have been held. Well-informed circles have stated that British naval forces patrolling the western coast of Greece have not encountered a single Italian warship. Rome claims that British troops have landed at Mitylene, Khios, Kythera, in addition to Crete. It is allege® that English and Greek planes bombed Mon astir. The Turkish Government is assisting Greece to obtain foodstuffs, and has lifted the ban on the export of cereals and dried vegetables. BOMBS ON VILLAGE ITALIAN CLAIM TO REPEL AIR ATTACK LONDON, November 6. (Received November 7, at 12.40 p.m.) An Italian communique states that the anti-aircraft defences put to flight enemy planes attempting to reach Naples. Some bombs fell on a village south-westwards of Brindisi and destroyed two houses. ROME AND BERLIN CLAIM SUCCESSES BERLIN, November 6. (Received November 7, at 11.15 a.m.) The radio stated that the Italians have pierced the Metaxas Line on the central front and coastal flank, and are violently bombarding the neighbourhod of Janina, where a big battle is progressing. A Rome communique states that the Italians repelled enemy attacks northwards of the Kopestica Pass. The southern top of Lake Presba was bombed, and enemy motorised units, also the railway station at Fiorina, and the naval bases at Navarino, Pirreus, and Argostoli.

STRONG ENOUGH B.E.F. IN GREECE ATHENS, November 6. (Received November 7, at 12.40 p.m.) Majoi’-generul Gambler Parry, British liaison officer at Greek headquarters, declined to detail possible British action, but said the Expeditionary Forces were completely sufficient to repel any attack. THE TURKISH ARMY SOLID BARRIER AGAINST AGGRESSION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 5. In the House of Lords, Lord Halifax, making a statement similar to Mr Churchill’s, referred to Turkey. The Foreign Secretary said; “We have been in close consultation with the Turkish Government regarding the situation which has arisen and the attitude of that Government has been stated with great clarity and great resolution by the President in a speech at the opening of the Turkish Parliament. Thanks to the wise foresightedness of the Turkish Government, Turkey constitutes a very solid barrier against aggression, and I do not doubt that your lordships are fully aware of the confidence felt in the ability of the Turkish army to carry out any task that may fall to it. I should like to take this opportunity of endorsing and repeating on the part of His Majesty’s Government the words used by the President when he said that the bonds of alliance which united our two countries are solid and unbreakable. The relations of His Majesty’s Government with the Egyptian Government, I am glad to say, are close and cordial, as is indeed only natural in view of the treaty of alliance which the Egyptian Government is implementing in the letter and the spirit of accord with great goodwill.” THE HOME GUARD COMMISSIONS FOR OFFICERS LONDON, November 6. (Received November 7, at 11.30 a.m.) Lieutenant-colonel Sir Edward Grigg, in the House of Commons, stated that commissions were being granted Home Guard officers, enabling them to' command all troops in any locality in exent of emergency. Rifles, automatic rifles, machine guns, and grenades, representing full armament for 1,000,000 would shortly bo available.