GREEK STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20525, 8 April 1941, Page 7

GREEK STAND

NEW POSITIONS OPPOSING NAZIS BERUN ADMISSIONS EARLY DIFFICULTIES CLAIMS Itjl YUGOSLAVIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. April 7, 2.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 6. According to latest reports from the frontier, the Greek troops are taking up new positions fixed in advance. There is the greatest enthusiasm among the people of Macedonia and Thrace, the regions most directly concerned. Berlin admits that the advance is meeting with difficulties in the Struma Valley. All the resources of German organising ability are being used to overcome the adversities of the mountainous country and the climate. German units have erected signposts along a mountain road warning motorise,d forces of dapger points. German sappers blasting rocks are using pneumatic drills to open a passage for heavy vehicles. It is claimed by the Germans that during the air raids on Belgrade a pontoon bridge, built for troop transport was directyy hit and destroyed. Other bombs destroyed bridge-building material and stores. The Germans claim that 44 grounded planes have been destroyed. The Berlin radio states that the Yugoslav Government has already anfipunced its withdrawal' from Belgrade. “Jpappssible to ppd.erstjuiA” “It is impossible to understand how Britain could have expected Germany to recognise Belgrade as an open town, with its abundance of aerodromes, barracks' and military objectives,” states the radio. A neutral military observer at B.erne reports that 250 German planes participated in the morning attack on Belgrade. A KUminute air raid alarm was sounded in Athens at 3 pin.

A Berlin High Command communique states that bombers and fighters • attacked military objectives in Yugoslavia, particularly grade, which was raided three times. The Belgrade railway station suffered particularly. Several Yugoslav aerodromes were attacked with explosives apd machine-gun fire. At the same time Italian planes attacked aerodromes at Herzegovina “with great success.” The Berlin High Command communique adds: “Crossing the Yugoslavian and Greek frontiers German troops everywhere during the day mjade contact' with the eh.emy. Despite the difficult conditions and the eriemy resistance the troops are proceeding according to plan.”

The Berlin radio states: campaign will' be no military promenade. Although hard it will be won. The endless machinations of Communist Agitators have won for the Balkans tdfe title ‘powderkeg of Europe.*”'