PREMETI CAPTURED

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1940, Page 7

PREMETI CAPTURED

ITALIAN HEAVY LOSSES GREEK LINE STRAIGHTENED BRITISH PLANES ACTIVE [by cable. —press Assn.—copyright.]

LONDON, December 5. The Greek capture of Premeti, in the central sector about 15 miles north-east of Argyrokastron, is announced by the Greek War Ministry. The fall of Premeti is a serious threat to the Italians nearer the sea and they are said to be streaming out from the naval base of Santi Quaranta towards Khimara and from Argyrokastron towards Tepelini. According _to the Athens correspondent of the British United Press Greek patrols entered the outskirts of Santi Quaranta, last night. Reviewing the situation, a Turkish general said that the southern sector was the key to the whole Albanian campaign, and should Argyrokastron fall, it would be extremely difficult for the Italians to remain in Albania. The communique announcing the fall of Premeti says: “Greek troops have achieved another notable success in the sector north of Premeti, where our artillery has crushed stubborn enemy resistance. An enemy tank attack on either side of the highway also failed. We have occupied Premeti, capturing more than 500 prisoners, six guns, and a large quantity of material. Our aircraft successfully bombed fixed and moving targets.” The Athens correspondent of “The Times” says that the straightening out of the zig-zag Greek line in the last few days will result in economy of men and increase the striking force of the Greek Army. The line will be further shortened, when Santi

Quaranta and Argyrokastron fall, which is expected. The important advances on the extreme right towards the interior also promise well for future operations. Although the enemy’s forces and capabilities must not be under-rated, the Greeks generally are unshakably convinced that victory will finally be achieved. The army’s spirit is very high and troops marching back for a few days’ rest declare they are willing to forgo the rest and carry on. Those going to the front line cheer and sing. Another report says that Greeks in the Argyrokastron sector crossed the Dryno River near the village of Libokhova, south-east of Argyrokastron. The Greeks in the central sector are reported to have advanced along the northern road in the direction of Elbasan, and to have occupied the villages of Khukus and Djura without having to fight. British aeroplanes heavily bombed the road from Lin, on the west shore of Lake Ochrida, to Elbasan. The Italians have been unable to use the road since Monday. , , , The value of the booty captured from the Italians is estimated at £lO 000,000. Small mortars captured are. believed to be sufficient to' equip the entire Greek Army.

RETREAT CONTINUED. , RUGBY, December 5. The British Press regards the Greeks’ capture of Premeti, and the commanding positions they occupy threatening Santi Quaranto, as opening up prospects for still further suc- ’ cesses in southern Albania. According to Athens reports, the Italians are still retreating all along ’the front, and last night they were reported to be vacating Argyrokastron. R.A.F. BOMB BRIDGE. RUGBY, December 5. Successful attacks by R.A.F. bomber and fighter formations, on Italian troops retreating in the Tepelene and Kelcyre area, yesterday, are described in an Air Ministry bulletin. One formation bombed the road junction and troop concentrations at Kelcyre. Direct hits were registered on the road to Tepelene and Berat, and other bombs exploded among buildings. At Tepelene, the road and bridge over the river were bombed. The bridge was observed later to be surrounded by dust and rubble, as a result of the bombing. A convoy of lorries, and buildings to the north of the town, were also attacked. Off the coast of Santi Quaranto, our bombers attacked an enemy destroyer, and a direct hit was legistered on the starboard quarter. Other bombs fell close to the ship. Official confirmation is still awaited in London of reports of a fierce fight between R.A.F. fighters and enemy aircraft, yesterday, in the Tepelene area. Greek sources report that. 10 enemy planes were destroyed. No R.A.F. aircraft is missing.

ARGYROKASTRON NEXT (Recd. December 6, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 5. The Greek advance drove the Italians out of many strong positions, along the whole front yesterday, and heavy Italian losses in men and material are reported. Only Italian: rearguards are holding Argyrokastron, states the British United Press Athens correspondent. Isolated Italian units are reported to be covering the retreat in the whole coastal sector while the Eleventh Army Corps is establishing a new line running along the heights between Himara and Tepelena, with advanced positions around for Palermo, which is on the coast 16 miles above Sardanda. An Athens message states that the Italian withdrawal from, Saranda is reported to be continuing. Macnanised columns are moving equipment 20 miles along the coast to prevent it falling into Greek hands. The Greeks have already captured valuable booty in the region, which was once an important Italian provisioning base. The Greek Government spokesman says: Greek dive-bombers hit an Italian barracks crowded with reinforcements, at Tepelena, and also bombed the only serviceable bridge across the Svojiuza River, disrupting Italian cohimunications. ITALIAN OUTRAGES. ATHENS, December 5. The whole Greek Press is voicing fierce indignation over the bombing of

/Corfu, and atrocities of the Italiar troops. One war correspondent say: that Greek soldiers, entering elaborate enemy defence works, found girls .carried off by Italian officers frorr -neighbouring villages, sacrificed to a slogan of love and war. CARDINAL HINSLEY’S MESSAGE i LONDON, December 5. ' In a message to Greece, the Archbishop of Westminster (Cardinal Hins\ley) referred to the bombing of Greek civilians, and said that nothing better could be expected of young men brought up on the doctrines of totali'tarian paganism. He found it hard to believe that the Italian people would <lend themselves freely to cruel violence and injustice practised on the iGreek nation. I j “DAVID AND GOLIATH.” ; RUGBY, December 5. i Mr. Morrison closed his speech at Southampton with a tribute to the extraordinary valour of the Greek nation, whose example “gives us a 4 timely reminder that courage, brains, and inflexible determination can upset , the calculation of a bully, as swiftly, .-unexpectedly, and thoroughly as Davi id with his sling overthrew the clanking champion of the Philistines.”