UNITS OF GREEK ARMY HOLDING GUERRILLA ATTACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22915, 6 April 1949, Page 8

UNITS OF GREEK ARMY HOLDING GUERRILLA ATTACK

(10 a.m.) ATHENS, April 5. Fighting between guerrillas and Greek National Army units in the region south-west of the GrammoS mountains has developed into a battle of unprecedented violence and ferocity which might decide the whole fate of the latest guerrilla offensive. This offensive is the largest and most determined attempted by the guerrilla command since the suppression of the former guerrilla leader General Markos.

The guerrilla objective appears to be the capture of the northern Pindus range and to open up the mountain route from Albania. A Greek-General Staff communiqueannounced that armed Albanian troops have joined Greek guerrillas in the Grammos fighting. The communique claimed that the Albanian troops were fighting near two villages where General Markos has his headquarters last summer. The are about four miles inside Greek territory. The guerrilas are making violent counter-attacks against Tabouri and other points. Greek elements are holding their positions, while other troops are continuing mopping-up in the area. Greek aircraft have made 98 bombing sorties.