SMASHING BLOWS

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

SMASHING BLOWS

KALIAN BASE ATTACKED BRITISH BOMBERS BUSY (British Official Wireless.) Prw Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 27. (Received November 28, at 11 a.m.) R.A.F. bombers made a highly successful raid on Valona Harbour, one of Italy’s disembarkation bases in Albania. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition, it was announced from British Air Force headquarters in Greece: “ Direct hit* with heavy bombs were obtained on a big ship, which was seen to be,in a sinking condition before our aircraft set off on their return journey. Damage was also done to quays and docks in this area, and buildings near a hangar were destroyed. One of several enemy monoplane fighters which attempted to intercept our aircraft was shot down, being seen to dive vertically with black smoke pouring from its front. “ A column of enemy troops retreating in the Tepelen area in Albania was attacked by low-flying aircraft, causing heavy casualties. At Kelcyre a stick of bombs was laid across the aerodrome, one bomb exploding close to aircraft on the ground. “ On November 25 one ot our aircraft was returning from a raid, and while avoiding a formation of enemy fighters came out of a cloud and met ’head-on,another flight of fighters. The enemy fighters were surprised, and in attempting to evade our aircraft broke, formation and two collided. One was last seen diving to the ground in (lames. $ “ From all these operations all emplanes returned safely.” NAZI ATTITUDE TD GREEDS MAINTENANCE OF STATUS QUO BELGRADE, N ovomber ,27. The Berlin correspondent of the ‘ Politika ’ quotes an authoritative source for the statement that Germany will not regard Greece as an enemy of the Tripartite Pact while the present situation continues or as long as Greece does not declare war against Germany.

GREEK SUCCESSES EXCEED HIGHEST TURKISH EXPECTATIONS GERMANY NOT EXPECTED TO INTERVENE LONDON, November 26. The Ankara correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that the Turks from the beginning’ favoured the Greek chances against Italy, but the Greek successes have exceeded the highest expectations. Turkey contributed to these successes by protecting the Greek rear, thereby enabling the Greek High Command to withdraw' all tho troops from the Bulgarian frontier to fight on the Albanian front. It is reliably stated that not a single Greek gendarme is on the Bnl-garian-Greek frontier. The impression is being strengthened in Ankara that Germany will not intervene in the Italian-Greek war, this attitude being at least partly due to Turikey’s maintaining a strong front in Thrace. The Rome correspondent of the ’Associated Press states that according to informed quarters Germany is leaving the fight against Greece entirely to Italy. ITALIAN PROPAGANDA CXPOSED BY GREEK MINISTER (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. M. Nicoloudis, the Greek Minister of Information, broadcasting, refuted Italian propaganda assertions, and referred to Mussolini as perhaps enjoying his last days of power. He added ; “ Italian propaganda .pretends that it is not tlfe Greeks who are the victors, but British gunners, whereas not one British gunner is on the Albanian front. Britain’s immortal Navy and her admirable Air Force have reinforced Greek resistance to tho invader, but the victory on the Albanian front was exclusively due to Greek bayonets. “ Italian propaganda maintains that Italy declared war not against Greece, but against Britain, whereas the British, while fighting heroically against their own enemies, were not on Greek territory until several days after the Italian invasion. “ Fate has decreed that the cause of Fascist Italy shall collapse in ridicule, thanks to a little country enjoying a single advantage against a powerful invader—moral and spiritual superiority.” The Salonika newspaper, ‘Tophus' declares that the Italian general who

committed suicide was General Brasco, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian army in Albania at the beginning of the present war. He was succeeded by General Soddu. VICTIMS OF R.A.F. TWENTY ITALIAN AIRCRAFT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 27. (Received November 28, at 1.5 p.m.) “ The reports available show that the 11.A.P. to date has shot down 20 Italian aircraft on the Greek front,” stated Captain Balfour in a House of Commons reply to a question. Since October 19, when eight Italian aircraft were shot down by R.A.F. fighters without loss to themselves, few Italian aircraft have been encountered.”-