German Onslaught In Balkans

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 5

German Onslaught In Balkans

EFFORT TO BREAK ALLIED LINE Greeks May Evacuate Albania (By Radio and Cable.) BUGBY, April 17. (Received April 18, at 9.57 a.m.) The force of the German onslaught is made clear by the ' following official Greek comment on a communique:—The Germans yesterday threw the whole weight of their military mechanism against the Greeks and their Allies, upon whom they are exerting extreme pressure. A. battle has been launched along the whole front from Mount Olympus to Koritza. German pressure is heaviest at three main points —the region of Grevena, in the south on the Eiver Alaikmbn, and in the west at Koritza. A German column operating in the Grevena area is trying to push towards Kalabaka, in Thressaly. Another force from Cozani (Kozhani) is pushing south of the Aliakmon, while a third, advancing by Valacho and Klissura towards Kastoria, is stated to have reached the old Greek-Albanian frontier. The Germans are being stubbornly opposed all along the line. The Germans are undoubtedly making every effort to break through and capture the important town of Larissa, but they, are meeting stubborn resistance. The Allied line is holding well against the violence of the German attack, which includes the use of heavy forces of aeroplanes and tanks launched in successive waves. The battle has now entered its most critical stage. An Athens Press Ministry statement says that the Allied forces are inflicting tremendous losses on the enemy, but so far the desperate German onslaughts have not broken the Gragco-British line. AUSTRALIANS HEAVILY ENGAGED. At least 10 divisions have been flung into the action in the region of Servia, and the weight of the attack is being kept up regardless of cost. Australian troops are said to be heavily engaged in this area, and they are giving the enemy a severe hammering. A German communique claims the capture of Servia, but this is not confirmed. Other German divisions 'are reported to be attempting a by-pass of the Mount Olympus region by bringing pressure to bear on the coast road and railway south of Salonika. The Allied lines are subject to violent bombing and machinegunning from the air, hundreds of Stukas and Messerschmitts being engaged. Heavy casualties have been imposed upon these aircraft by both the land forces and the E.A.F., and at least five were brought down by one British Bren gun company in the Servia region. POSITION REGARDED AS SERIOUS. It is not disguised that the position is serious, and wellinformed quarters in Cairo state that relief brought to the German forces in Yugoslavia through the defection of the army there may result in pressure being brought to bear on the Greeks, forcing them to evacuate Albania. This would create new difficulties and would be bound to have repercussions on the Imperial forces in Greece. The Greeks have already evacuated Klisura. The Athens radio has broadcast to the people asking them to keep calm and to carry on their lives in a normal manner, although it is admitted that the situation at the front is not reassuring, and that the enemy continues to advance. -