GREEK LIBERATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1944, Page 5

GREEK LIBERATION

GUERRILLAS.CHASE GERMANS LONDON, October 22. “The Germans in Greece are withdrawing northward with all possible speed,” writes a correspondent in Athens in a delayed message. “Although no real battle has been fought since the enemy left Athens, guerrillas are harassing them all the way along the route of their retreat. They have now withdrawn 32 miles to the north-west of Athens. British forces are following close on their heels, but are being delayed by demolitions. It seems clear the Germans are 'determined to fight their way out and not surrender, but the area they are now coming to is strongly held by guerrillas, and the enemy’s chances of getting the main forces away are decreasing daily.” “The whole of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean has been liberated,” says the correspondent of the British United Press in Athens. “Greek guerrillas have taken over Andros, the last island to fall.”

MONARCHY PLEBISCITE.

RUGBY, October 23

“A plebiscite to decide whether Greece will retain the monarchy will take place within four months, according to a correspondent in Athens, quoting a Greek Government source. If the result turns out in favour of a republic, a general election will be held immediately to elect a President. Meanwhile, both Liberal and Popular parties have issued a statement pointing out the necessity of collaboration and support for the Papandreou Government. A delegation of the Popular Democratic Party, formerly the Royalists, called on Mr. Sofoulis, leader of the Liberal Party, to establish" the fact that their policies coincide. It is generally believed in Government circles that the new Cabinet will have leanings to the Left, though there will be a preponderance of moderate elements. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet have been in session all day discussing the constitution of the new Cabinet, and no efforts are being spared to achieve the unity so necessary during this delicate stage in the rehabilitation of Greece.” FURTHER CAPTURE. RUGBY. October 23. Evvois oi’ Euboea, a large Greek island stretching along the coast from the Gulf of Volos to east of Athens has been entered by British patrols, and is now clear of the enemy, says a Mediterranean communique. Patrols met many demolitions in their advance towards Lania, and these hampered movement of heavy transport. Air forces are operating effectively against enemy units as the weather permits. An Athens correspondent says that the Greek Government announced all properties of Jews seized during the German occupation will be returned to the owners. QUISLING’S SURRENDER. LONDON, October 23. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s ! Athens correspondent states that 85C officers and men of the Greek Quisling battalion have surrendered in Chalkis. the capital of Euboea Island, which is connected with the Greek mainland by bridge. ALBANIAN PATRIOTS. LONDON, October 23. Cairo radio reports and Albanian patriots have liberated the important Albanian port of Vlona, opposite Brindisi, about 50 miles from the Greek border. RELIEF SUPPLIES. RUGBY, October 22. “Some 780,000 tons of supplies, valued at £30,000,000, are available for distribution by the military liaison forces in Greece in the next six months,” says a correspondent in Rome. “To prepare for this task, British officers travelled many hundreds of miles with pack mules and one horseback. They crossed and recrossed the German lines, worked with guerrillas as they fought the enemy, and obtained vital information. Some parachuted into'Germanheld territory, but not one life was lost.

“The repatriation of refugees numbering 200,000 is among the tasks of the military liaison force. Supply shins are already being unloaded at Patras, Calamata, and Piraeus.”