ITALIANS PUSHED BACK

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1940, Page 7

ITALIANS PUSHED BACK

GREEKS SEIZE HEIGHTS ALBANIANS TO ASSIST RETREAT NOT YET ROUT [BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, December 2. The Italians are still being forced back in Albania. The Greeks have made considerable advances along the whole front, and points of exceptional importance for the development of future operations have been taken. It is still on the northern front that the rate of the Greek advance is being maintained most successfully. In the Pogradetz area the Italian rearguard has been pushed eight miles further into Albania, and the rest of the Italians are streaming westward on the road to Elbasan. But even at Elbasan the Italians will not be free of their difficulties, if persistent reports prove true, for it is said that well-equipped and well-organ-ised Albanians are waiting to fall on them there. In the mountains of the Premeti region, north-east of Argyrokastron, the Italians have suffered more reverses. There, according to the latest Greek communique, more than 150 Italians were taken prisoner and a large quantity of war material was captured. This success has promising possibilities for operations nearer the coast, for an advance of a few miles from Premeti will enable the Greeks to cut the road, from Argyrokastron to Valona. This will facilitate the capture of Argyrokastron, which the Italians are defending fiercely. The Italians hold a ridge barring progress from the south, and with the cutting of-the road behind the Italians it will be only a matter of time before the defenders will be short of food and shells. ; The Athens radio declares that Greek forces have reached the coast north of Corfu. | The Soviet Army’s newspaper, the “Red Star,” says that the Greeks now hold the most favourable strategic positions. ' Snow and fog yesterday hampered. air and land operations on the Po-. gradetz front. Here the Greeks on Thursday took up positions beyond Pogradetz, with the object of cutting off the retreating Italians by concentrated artillery fire. Although Greek j troops have been in Pogradetz for; some days, the Greek High Command has only now announced its capture, [ because it awaited the consolidation: of strong positions on the heights to the north-west. The Greeks captured; these position after furious fighting,; and their capture facilitates further, operations and renders Italian move- i ments difficult in the southern sec-! tor. Fifteen officers taken prisoner ati Pogradetz belonged to almost as many) units, proving that the Italians made ; hasty efforts to reinforce their troops; in this area. ’ j The Greek wireless says thaat Sig- ■ nor Starace, Secretary-General of the - Fascist Party, has arrived in Albania! to supervise measures to suppress the i increasing anti-Italian agitation. The J ■ measures include the closing of Albanian schools in which pictures of' Signor Mussolini are reported to have been torn from the walls.

RETREAT CONTINUED. BELGRADE, December 2. Reports from the frontier state that the Italian retreat is in progress in Central Albania, which is knee-deep in snow. The Italians are heavily attacking the Greeks from the air, while Greek cavalry is pushing on from Pogradec. ITALIAN ADMISSION. ROME, December 2. The Italian High Command has admitted to-day that Italian forces are on the defensive, and that Greek forces, despite counter-attacks by Italians, were continuing to attack. The Italians are resisting stubbornly. “EXCEPTIONAL IMPORTANCE” RUGBY, December 2. The latest Greek communique states: A considerable advance has been made all along the front. Positions of exceptional importance in the development of the operations have been captured. The capture of Pogradetz is regarded by newspaper commentators as dealing a heavy -blow to Italy’s strategic position, and may have farreaching consequences. Pogradetz lies at the south-western end of Lake Ochrida, through which the frontier with Jugoslavia passes. Reports are current that the retreating mechanised Italian units are proceeding along the side of the lake, north of this small town, while infantry are proceeding west-north-west-wards. It is suggested that the Italians intend to take up a new position on a line east of Elbasan, 20 miles north-west.

5000 ITALIANS SURRENDER. (Recd. December 3, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 2. The Associated Press Athens correspondent reports that the Greeks have captured 5000 Italians on the northern front. Their surrender is reported to have signalled the general retreat of the other Italian forces in the same area, leaving a huge gap in the Italian centre. The Greek military authorities forbid mention . of the spot at which the Italian line is broken. The Exchange Agency’s correspondent’at Moscopolye says: Heavy snow and a gale have slowed down the Greek advance, but the initiative is still in their hands. The latest victory has permitted the establishment of a new line in the extreme north. The Greek pursuit prevents the Italians driven from Pogradetz from taking up new defence positions, and well-armed bands of Albanian rebels threaten them in the rear, near El- ■ basan. These rebels are reported to be commanded by a supporter of exKing Zog. ITALIAN CLAIMS - (Recd. December 3, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, December 2. An Italian communique says: Violent enemy attacks on the Greek front A L ■ •

were everywhere repelled. Our coun-ter-attacks threw the enemy back tc their starting lines, with heavy losses, particularly on the right wing ci the Ninth Italian Army. Colonel Trizzio, leading the 47th Regiment, met an heroic death. LONDON PRESS ESTIMATES RUGBY, December i. The magnificent campaign carried out by the Greeks give rise to speculation on the effect on Italian and German relations of this serious reverse suffered by the Axis junior partner, a reverse which this morning’s Greek High Command announcement that advanced units entered Pogradetz will do nothing to allay. ■ The “Observer,” describing the war, says: “So far this war of independence, waged by a little Power against a great Power is one of the classic compaigns of military history.” > The “Sunday Times,” discussing the Axis relationship, states: “One must remember, however, that it is not merely a fighting alliance- between Italy and Germany but a personal, or to be more precise, a professional tie that so long has united the two dictators. Neither can really afford to see the other go down. If German bayonets were required in Italy to keep Mussolini in power, they would be sent. We need not be alarmed at their advent. Hitler can earn no gratitude nor friendship from the Italian people. He cannot feed them, nor can he prevent us from blockading ana ■ bombing them. He can merely add one more, in effect, to the list of occupied countries. It will be a further I tax on his strength, a further millstone round his neck when he reaches deep water. Our task, therefore, and that of our armed forces, is for the present a clear one. It is to continue hitting the Italian forces hard and often, and in as many places as we can. MR. AMERY’S REVIEW LONDON, December 1. Future developments of the Greek success were discussed by the Secretary of State for India (Mr. L. S. Amery) in a speech to-day. Italy’s misadventure, he said, might yet enable the Allies to open a back door to Germany. If the Greeks could hold on until Britain had disposed of the Italians in Egypt, Britain might then have a foothold, to threaten the German flank in the event of an attack on Turkey. Through this avenue Britain could deal a mortal blow at the German dragon. Signor Mussolini’s misfortunes were an indication that the Italians were being defeated because they were fighting a war they knew to be unjust and unnecessary. The Greeks, on the other hand, were fighting like heroes with a passionate conviction in their cause, and a burning resentment against the outrage to their country. Greek successes acted as cheering developments for her friends and a warning to countries that might have been contemplating joining the Axis. , The “New York Times” states that Signor Mussolini’s reverses in Greece have made a mockery of his threats and boasts of the “hammer blows” to be delivered by the Axis.

WHY ITALIANS FAILED LONDON, December 1. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s observer, Mr. Richard Dimbleby, has just completed a tour of the battle areas in Greece and Albania. He attributes the Italians’ failure to two factors —the attitude of the Italian High Command in Albania, and the wonderful strategical skill of the Greeks. Instancing Italian hesitation and confusion, Mr. Dimbleby says that one imminent Italian attack was awaited for five hours by the Greeks. When it came, an infantry battalion was sent forward without deploying, and were mown down. Italian supporting bombers dropped their bombs 500 yards wide of the targets. On the following day, Italian light tanks advanced, and in their turn were smashed by bad tactics on the part of their commanders. One gun destroyed five tanks. An infantry battalion sent in support surrendered with the exception of 20 men, who died fighting. The others threw down their arms.

i In their retreat from Koritza, Mr. Dimbleby continues, the Italians abandoned 80 per cent, of their transport and equipment. The Greek High Command performed miracles of staff work. Emphasising the need for more help in men and transport for the Greeks, the observer said that the Greeks’ problem now was one of sup- ' ply, as they had advanced so far into I Albania. When the Italian counter-at-j tack —which many considered ifnmin- ; ent —was developed, the Greeks i would be at a disadvantage because of this supply problem.

BRITISH MILITARY OPINION. RUGBY, December 2. The Greek-Italian war has been raging a month, and reviewing the events of the campaign, authoritative military commentators point out as the most striking feature that the war which began with an unprovoked invasion now becomes an effective counter-attack carried out in Albania. Even on the coastal sector, there are now no 'ltalian troops in Greece, other than those as prisoners. Originally, the Greek plan must have been pui'ely defensive, with the object of protecting Salonika, and the fact that in the northern sector, the Greek counter-offensive has been most effective, testifies to the brilliance of Greek generalship. Informed military commentators emphasise the importance of the capture of Koritza. The Italian offensive was pressed forward less thoroughly in the northern sector than elsewhere. It is considered that the further advance in the central sector would lead the Greeks in.to open and relatively flat country, where the Italian modern mechanis-

ed troops could operate with advantage. Military circles discount the stories that, the Italians lack fighting power. The fact that the prisoners are captured by the hundred and not by the thousand, is considered to indicate that the retreat, though rapid, never became . a rout, and the comment is made it was only when the Italians are surrounded that they surrender. On the other hand, it is considered that the Italian troops have been sacrificed to political needs and let down by bad organisation and planning. The Greeks have turned this to very good account, and the conduct of the Greek army, which had to fight every bit of the way, has been distinguished by the brilliance of the High Command, and the skill, determination, courage and power .of the ranks.

TURKEY AND AXIS LONDON, December 1. Turkey has made her intention of not signing up with the Axis quite 1 clear. The Italian radio has been saying that Turkey is about to join the Axis Powers, but this has drawn a definite denial from the Turkish radio at Ankara. The Ankara radio said that Italy had tried to invade the Balkans on two flanks, but had failed utterly. . The two principal Axis partners are putting round a report that Bulgaria is their belligerent ally, but there is no evidence of it in Bulgaria, and the Moscow radio emphasises Bulgaria’s desire to remain neutral. Meanwhile the two junior Axis partners, Rumania and Hungary, ai e at loggerheads. Yesterday, on the anniversary of the union of Transylvania with Rumania, there were demonstrations in both countries. JUGOSLAV INDEPENDENCE. LONDON, December 1. In Jugoslavia, the Regent, . Prince I Paul, has again expressed that country’s desire for independence, with a [policy of peace and co-operation with all her neighbours. Prince Paul called on the people to remain levelheaded in the face of difficulties. The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain re-ports-that while Prince Paul was making his speech appealing for solidarity, Croad separatists are believed to have attempted to kill three leading Jugoslavs at Zagreb. Bombs were placed outside the homes of the Chief and Deputy-Chief of the province of Croatia and also outside the home of the Vice-Premier (Dr. Matchek), who is the leader of the Croat Peasant Party. A few windows were broken, but there were no casualties.

ULTIMATUM PRESENTATION DRAMATIC NARRATIVE WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. A dramatic story of how Italy presented the ultimatum to Greece, was told by Mr. Garland, Greek ViceConsul for New Zealand, who has just returned from a visit to Austialia. While in Sydney, Mr. Garland was shown official documents at the Consulate, which told the whole story. The ultimatum was delivered by a trick, said’Mr. Garland. In the early hours of the • morning, the Greek Premier, General Metaxas, was called from bed by telephone. He was told that the Ambassador for France was speaking, and he had something important to tell him. He invited the caller round to his house, and when he opened the door, the Italian Ambassador thrust the ultimatum into his hand. General Metaxas opened the document and read Italy’s demands for the handing over to Italy of Corfu, Cephalonia, Salonica, Pirius and Crete. General Metaxas did not read further, but exclaimed “This means war!”

It was then the turn of the Italian Ambassador to register surprise. He expostulated with the Greek Premier and assured him that resistance would be useless. Italy had an air fleet ready, and also armies, he said, and within three hours she would. strike, if the demands were not accepted at this stage. General Metaxas did not hesitate, he exclaimed “Come, if you dare,” and shut the door on his visitor.

Mr. Garland said the resistance of the Greek Government had meant the turning point in the Axis drive to south-eastern Europe. The heroic successes of the Greek forces had stiffened the attitude of Turkey, and had influenced the positions of Bulgaria and Jugoslavia. Had Greece accepted Italy’s terms the whole course of history would have been changed.