GREEK FREEDOM

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1944, Page 5

GREEK FREEDOM

BRITISH AT SALONIKA

LONDON, November 1

British patrols in Northern Greece have reached Salonika, and north of Koziani more progress has been made in the drive by British troops and Greek guerrillas towards the Jugoslav border.

“The Greek guerrilla organisation. (ELAS) claims that Salonika has been liberated,” says the Athens correspondent of the British United Press. “There is no confirmation of this from British headquarters, however. “British troops and Greek guerrillas in Northern Greece are harassing the retreating Germans. Heavy rain is making the pursuit hard work, as bridges have been blown up and supply columns have to make their way across country over flooded fields. Greek guerrillas have liberated the town of Arnina, seven miles from the frontier of Jugoslavia, after destroying the German garrison. GERMAN RETREAT HARASSED

(Rec. 10.50) LONDON, Nov. 1. The Germans have abandoned Salonika. This was announced in today’s German High Command communique, which says the evacuation vas carried out wnnout interference. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Rome correspondent says the British patrols’ advance towards Salonika vas the swiftest so far made by our 'orces in Greece. The 65 miles from Cozhani have been covered within wo days. The drive northwards is continuing with our advanced clenents who are working in close cooperation with Greek guerrillas naintaining contact with the enemy. Sreek guerrillas are also far ahead of our advanced troops, and are. amoushing enemy columns along the route to Jugoslavia.

MR. EDEN’S VISIT

LONDON, November 1. The Foreign Secretary (Mr. Eden) left Athens on Tuesday with . the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean theatre (General Sir Hemjy Maitland Wilson) and the Commander of the Mediterranean naval forces (Admiral Sir John Cunningham). It is learned in London that as; q result of Mr. Eden’s talks in Athens, >t has been agreed that 60,000 tons of mods monthly are to- be supplied to Greece from British and American military stocks accumulated in the Middle East for relief purposes. These applies, which will tide Greece over the first difficult period, will be mainy wheat, cheese, powdered food, and medical stores. At present the port opacity is the limiting factor. UNRRA personnel are engaged on these relief operations, but UNRRA does not take over responsibility until the military stage completed.