STRENGTH OF NEW POSITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23861, 16 April 1941, Page 7

STRENGTH OF NEW POSITIONS

GREEKS IN MOUNTAINOUS AREAS BRITISH AND GREEKS HOLD THE PASSES LONDON, April 15. (Received April 16, at 2 p.m.) In the absence of evidence that the German- forces have yet made contact with the main. Allied lines in 'Greece, interest centres on the new positions taken up by the British and Greeks. The Greek newspaper ‘ Proia ’ describes the new defence line as “ a complete co-ordinated unit which in four or five places cannot be attacked by mechanised units.” The ‘ Kathimerini ’ says the Greeks hold the mountainous regions on the new front, while the British and Australians hold the passes and bottlenecks. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Athens correspondent declares that tins is an admirable division of labour, because the forces are thus fighting under the conditions to which they are most suited. The Greek Press, Ministry to-night emphasised the Allies’ consolidated positions in the strong mountainous line, and added that there were no largescale operations yesterday. WITHDRAWAL IN ALBANIA SUCCESSFUL GREEK MOVEMENT NEW DEFENCE LINE ESTABLISHED LONDON, April 15. The Greek forces on the Albanian front have withdrawn from the northern sector around Koritza. The necessity for this action arose when the failure of the Yugoslav forces to stem the German advance exposced the Greek flanks. The enemy sought vainly to hinder the withdrawal, of which they did not become aware until 24 hours after it had been started. They sent motor cycle troops forward, and the Greeks captured a number of these. This announcement follows an earlier report that the Allied forces in Greece had made an orderly withdrawal to prepared lines in the face of heavy and continuous enemy pressure. The covering troops, however, inflicted severe punishment on the Germans whose greatest efforts at no time looked like effecting a break in the strong defending line. NOT A GREEK SOLDIER LOST ALL EQUIPMENT BROUGHT AWAY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 15. (Received April 16, at 11.50 a.m.) In connection with the withdrawal of the Greek forces on the northern sector on the Albanian front, it is stated that the operation was carried out with complete secrecy for three days. , The Italians only observed the manoeuvre on Monday. They pushed their troops forward towards Koritza, which was already evacuated. The Greeik troops brought away all material and equipment, and all, guns which could not bo removed were destroyed. Bridges and roads were made impassable. Small forces of Greek troops which had been left in Koritza to cover the withdrawal fell back on Monday, so not a single Greek soldier fell into enemy hands. From a strategic point or view the withdrawal was rendered necessary by the fact that the new. Greek defence line had to be linked up without leaving vulnerable points. The Greet Press on Tuesday generally emphasised that the withdrawal at Koritza was imposed by new circumstances, and in no way diminished the value of the fact that the heroic Greek army, which for about six months astonished the world with its valour, conquered the Italians along the whole front and humiliated an empire of 60.000. which for that six months could claim no victory and would have reaped no success if another empire of 80.000. scurrilously attacking Greece had not come to their aid. An Italian communique admits raids last night by the R.A.F. on Brindisi, Valona, and Tripoli. COURTING TURKEY NAZI MAILED FIST IN VELVET GLOVE “ NOTHING BUT KINDNESS INTENDED " LONDON, April 15. Various signs indicate that Germany sooner or later will turn her attention to Turkey, says the Ankara correspondent of 4 The Times.’ Germany is concealing the mailed fist within a velvet glove, and is paying ardent courtship to Turkey. The German Ambassador, von Papen, is going about saying in the most suave manner that Turkey may expect nothing but kindness from Germany. The Turks take all these demonstrations for what they are worth, but are not relaxing their watchfulness. The Istanbul correspondent of the ‘ Daily Mail ’ says that elaborate German attempts to placate Turkish uneasiness can he traced to unmistakable signs of Turkey’s increasing preparation for war. One hundred thousand people have already been evacuated to Anatolia. FIVE JUNKERS DOWN MANY OTHERS DAMAGED R.A.F. REPELS DIVE BOMBERS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 15. (Received April 16, at 11.35 a.m.) An R.A.F. communique from British Headquarters in Greece states: 44 Enemy aircraft attempted a divebombing attack on the Piraeus Harbour and surrounding area this morning. Slight damage to R.A.F. property was caused. R.A.F. fighters shot down five Ju. 88's definitely, and many others were severely damaged and arc unlikely to have returned to Ihcir base. All our planes returned safely.”