GREEK OFFENSIVE

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 7

GREEK OFFENSIVE

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA MORE ENEMY STRONG POINTS OCCUPIED COUNTER-ATTACKS SUCCESSFULLY REPULSED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 11. (Received March 12, at 10.10 a.m.) A Greek headquarters communique on Monday stated: “After a hardfought struggle wo have occupied enemy strong points. Offensive actions by the Italians have been taking place on a wider front since yesterday. They have not met with any success, but, on the contrary, have resulted in severe losses. We have taken about 300 prisoners, including a number of officers. An enemy tank attack was repulsed, one tank being destroyed. Our aircraft took part in these operations, bombing and ma-chine-gunning the enemy forces with success. All our machines returned to their bases. AID FOR ITALY GERMANS TO HELP IN ALBANIA AEROPLANES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE SENT NEW YORK, March 10. The Washington correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says that information has been received that Germany is preparing to send air force and other most modern equipment to Albania to reinforce the Italians and drive the Greeks from the country. It is believed, states the correspondent, that this plan is not especially welcome to the Italians, who had hoped for single-handed victory over the Greeks. The same information stresses that despite the Italian reverses Mussolini remains firmly in the saddle and is exercising the real power internally. R.A.F. BOMBERS ACTIVE ENEMY CONCENTRATIONS ATTACKED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 11. (Received March T2, at 11.10 a.m.) An R.A.F. Middle East communique says; “A successful. bombing attack was carried out 'on enemy camps and motor transport concentrations on the Galave-Buzi road yesterday by R.A.F. bomber aircraft in support of the Greek land forces. Intense anti-air-craft fire was encountered in certain sectors, but our aircraft pressed home the attacks, even to the extent of machine-gunning motor transports and troops moving along a road. JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS TO AXIS COUNTRIES ARRANGED WANTS HEART-TO-HEART TALKS WITH NAZI LEADERS TOKIO, March 11. (Received March 12, at 8 a.m.) It is officially stated that the Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) will leave for, Germany and Italy to-morrow. Ho will “ exchange felicitations with, and meet the leaders of, Germany and Italy.” During his visit to Berlin and Rome, Mr Matsuoka will avail himself of the opportunity to make personal observations on the spot of the situation in Eurpoe. Accompanying Mr Matsuoka will be a delegation of nine, including Mr Taraao Sfcamoto, director of the European Bureau, also army Colonel Yatsuji Nagai, and a navy commander, Shigeru Fujii. ,Mr Matsuoka told the Press: “I have never met Hitler, Qocriug, or Eibbentrop. Therefore 1 want to meet them once and have heart-to-hcart talks. I also intend to see important persons in Germany and Italy, and preach my long-cherished world peace opinion, based on the principle of Hakko ichiu (eight corners under one roof, for universal brotherhood). TO VISIT MOSCOW AS WELL BERLIN, March 11. (•Received March 12, at 12.15 p.m.) The Berlin radio announced that Mr Matsuoka will visit Moscow as well as Berlin and Rome. HIGH! RAIDERS ENEMY BOMBER DESTROYED SHOT DOWN BY NAVAL SHIP (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11.10 a.m.) An Admiralty communique says: “ A night raiding bomber was engaged and destroyed by one of His Majesty’s ships. Direct bits were made on a German aircraft, a JU 88, by tbe destroyer Holderuess. The bomber was blown to pieces in the air. 'There were no survivors. No casualties or damage was sustained by the Holderness.