GREEK MAIN THRUSTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1940, Page 7

GREEK MAIN THRUSTS

ENEMY GIVEN NO RESPITE WINTER SLOWS OPERATIONS . [BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] .LONDON, November 27. The Greek communique issued this morning is marked by the usual caution, but behind it lies a story of har'assed Italians falling back everywhere. At all points the Greeks are now well within Albania. The Greeks are developing four main thrusts. In the northern sector, I advancing from Koritza, they are drivjing north beyond Pogradetz and west through Moskppolis. On the central front the Greeks are pushing steadily on and it seems that they have reached Frasheri, from where a valley leads 30 miles north-west to the Italian stronghold of Berat. Thus Berat is [menaced from two points, for the drive through Moskopoli's is also heading towards Berat. From Berat the Italians’ second defence line leads to Valona. In the coastal sector the Italians are said to be resisting strongly south of Argyrokastron, and the Greek authorities are deprecating foreign reports that Argyrokastron has fallen. The methodical advance of the Greeks, the skilful "placing of their artillery, and their accurate fire have given the Italians no chance of forming a front line of defence, and they are abandoning material in such quantities that some observers consider that the crack in the morale of the front-line troops is spreading to the supporting troops. Winter has bitingly gripped the war fronts, slowing down both the Italian [retreat and the Greek pursuit past rain-drenched valleys and snow-clad I mountains. In the fighting near Argyrokastron, the Greeks are using light and medium tanks. Another Greek force is pushing along the coast towards Santo Quaranti. BADOGLIO AT FRONT. LONDON, November 27. A Greek spokesman,'who confirmed that Greek troops were cutting communications in the Italians’ rear, said that Italian reinforcements had failed to hold up the advance; but there is no certain information as to how far the Italians have been pushed back. Some agencies say that the Italian line at Elbasan, 50 miles from Durazzo, is untenable.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Army (Field-Marshal Badoglio) is reported to have gone to the front, and the Fascist Party, which has been critical of the High Command’s handling of the campaign, is i said to be represented at the front by Signor Starace, Chief of Staff of the ' Militia. , Moslems along the line of retreat are stated to be outraged by the Italian fortification of their mosques, which usually are very solid buildings. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting at the entrance to the town preceded the Greek capture of Pogradetz... More than 300 Greeks were killed and 700 wounded. The Italian losses were three times, as great. Aeroplanes of Italian “suicide squadrons” are reported to have protected 14 transports which yesterday landed new contingents at Durazzo, from where they immediately went inland.

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, who was succeeded by General Soddu.

ITALIAN REINFORCEMENTS. , RUGBY, November 27. .Press messages state that heavy reinforcements of crack Italian troops were thrown into the fight along practically the whole front in Albania, but 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, a port used by the Italians for disembarkation in southern Albania. Fighting is heavy at Delevino, 10 miles by road from Sante Quaranta. ITALIAN BOMBERS ACTIVE ATHENS, November 26. A Greek communique says: “Among other booty in the neighbourhood of Koritza we seized six abandoned enemy aeroplanes. Enemy bombers have displayed some activity on the front. They have bombed ten villages in Epirus. Non-military objectives were hit in Corfu and Cephalonia.”

R.A.F. RAID VALONA.

BIG SHIP SUNK.

RUGBY, November 27.

R.A.F. bombers made a highlysuccessful raid on Valona harbour, one of Italy’s disembarkation bases in Albania, despite intense anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighter opposition. It is announced from British Air Force headquarters in Greece: “Direct hits with heavy bombs were obtained on a big ship, which was seen to be in a sinking condition before our aircraft set off on the return journey. Damage was also done to the quays and the docks 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 the 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 of our aircraft was returning from a raid, and, while avoiding a formation of enemy fighters, came out of a cloud and met, headon, 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 flames. From all these operations, all our planes -returned safely. KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. RUGBY, November 27. 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.

MUSSOLINI’S “LAST DAYS.” —— I LONDON, November 26. ' M. Nicoloudis, the Greek Minister of Information, in a broadcast statement, refuted Italian propaganda assertions. He referred to Signor Mussolini as “perhaps enjoying his last days of power.” He added: “Italian propaganda pretends that it is not the Greeks who are victors, but British gunners; whereas there is not one British gunner on the Albanian front. Britain’s immortal Navy and admirable Air Force have reinforced the Greek resistance to the invader. But the victory on the Albanian front is 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—that of moral and spiritual superiority.”