ITALIAN PORT THREATENED

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 9

ITALIAN PORT THREATENED

Crack Fascist Troops Thrown Into Battle FAILURE TO STEM GREEK ADVANCE RAF. Continues to Harass Enemy Convoys V, (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 27. (Received November 28, at 9.5 a.m.) Press messages state that heavy reinforcements of crack Italian troops have been thrown into the fight along practically the whole front in Albania, but the desperate efforts to stem the many-pronged Greek advances gained little success. A' serious threat, it is stated, appears to be developing to Sante Quaranta, the port used by the Italians for disembarkation in southern Albania. Fighting is heavy at Delevino, ten miles by road from Sante Quaranta. Winter has bitingly gripped the war fronts, slowing down both the Italian retreat and the Greek pursuit. Rain drenched the valleys and snow fell on the mountains. Moslems along the line of the Italian retreat are stated to be outraged by the Italian fortification of their mosques, which are usually very solid buildings. Fierce hand to hand fighting at. the entrance to the town preceded the Greek capture of Pogradec. Over 300 Greeks were killed and 700 wounded. The Italian losses were three times as great. An R.A.F. communique says British planes continued to assist the Greek advance in Albania, harassing the retreating Italians. They attacked three enemy columns composed of motor transport, pack mules, and infantry in the Elbasau district with machine-guns and set on fire three large motor transports. Many others were damaged and overturned on the roadside. A numbef of mules were killed and the remainder stampeded. The casualties among the infantry are believed to be heavy. Whole columns were thrown into panic and confusion. Other convoys were attacked at Tepelena. Bombs fell among motor transport, pack mules, and stores. Argyokastron was bombed and damaged. An Athens communique states; “ Among other booty in the neighbourhood of JKoritza we seized six abandoned enemy .. aeroplanes. Enemy bombers displayed some activity on the front and bombed 10 villages in the Epirus area and nonmilitary objectives in Corfu and Cephalona. The King has sent a telegram of congratulations on the victory of the Greek army to King George, who in reply sent a telegram of thanks. v