ITALIAN RETREAT

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN RETREAT

IN TWO SECTORS

Greeks Capture Heights

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J LONDON, December 4. Announcing that the Greeks are within a mile and a-quarter of Saranda, the Athens radio said: Our' forces pursued the enemy without losing contact. The importance of this advance is particularly ev.dem when it is remembered that the enemy launched the initial attack by mechanised troops on low-lying ground bordering the coast and tu :- ceeded in driving our troops back 20 miles. The Italians are now c>efe..ied on their own ground. Bitter fighting continues in the snow and mud, sometimes on mountain peaks 5000 feet over.the battlefields. The Italian army is rolling back, die two flanks being battered on -the centre front, where the Greeks captured two important heights overlooking Argyrokastron from the east. The Greeks occupied strategic heights north-westwards, of Moscopolye, after fierce hand-to-hand fighting. An Athens night communique states: In the Pogradetz region we captured new heights. Our troops also progressed on the remainder of the front. Our bombers attacked enemy columns and depots, starting big fires. Two enemy fighters were brought down. It i s reported, without confirmation, from Athens, that the Italian resistance is collapsing at Argyrokastron and the nearby port of Edda. The Greeks dominate all the strategic heights on the front from the sea to Lake Ouridsko. News Agency messages stated Italian troops wer e making a gradual retirement to Elbasan, and are being constantly harassed by the Greeks. Th e advancing Greeks are pressing so hard behind the Italians that in many camps half-eaten meals are found. Italian prisoners report Illness in their ranks, and snow, to which many are not accustomed, is increasing" their misery. In the central sector, Italian counter-attacks were smashed with great loss. Along the northern and southern portions of th e front the Greek advance continues to be rapid, and one report states that th e Greeks have captured heights round Argyrokastron. It is also reported that the Italian supply lines from Durazzo to Argyrokastron are being shelled by Greek arti'lery Italian dead are reaching considerable numbers and special squacis are being detailed to bury them. According to the Greek radio, the Italians were so frightened before embarkation that they were informed they were going to Corfu, which they were led to believe the Italian Navy had captured. They suddenly found themselves in the midst of the batfle.

A captured Italian priest staled: “The war is due to the thoughtless action of Mussol’n’. We se e the result in our capture. The Pope ordered us to pray for peace, but unfortunately, his advice was not heeded. Our division embarked from Brindisi, for Corfu. Ido not know why it changed direction to Albania ” It is confirmed that, in addition to the two aircraft destroyed by R A.F. fighters and bombers in Albania, on Monday, two other enemy aircraft were destroyed. In the Permeti area. British' fightf, ers intercepted and* shot down two ' enemy reconnaisseurs. Thrusting seawards', in Albania’s southern pocket, th e Greeks are reported to have reached points within a few hundred yards of Saranda (after the occupation of Albania, Mussolini renamed Saranda. Port. Edda, after his daughter, Edda). The net result of th P Greek operations in the past 36 hours has been the ironing out of a number of pockets in their line in Southern Albania. Dispatches received in Athens, this mornina. reoort a new Greek victory, resulting in the occupation of the Forest of Bouna, after the destruction of the so-called “Death Battalions” of the Ferrara Division, in a night-long battip wherein the Italians stubbornly resisted. The Greek advance in the Argyrokastron sector i s expected to be considerably facilitated by this decisive engagement. Although not so spectacular, the Greeks scored successes in other sectors, and d's’odged strongly-en-trenched, detachments from the heights of Mount Ostrovitse. The Greeks heavily repulsed an Italian counter-attack near ’ Lake Ohridsko. and captured many prisoners.

An improvement in tlie weather has resulted in intense a'r activity on both sides. The Athens rad’o. commenting on the air raid casually lota’s, stated: We are encouraged and sustained to bear the ordeal of modern totalitarian warfare, bv the proud and magnificent example of London and her sister cities. Corfu is the hardest hit among the defenceless. This beaut’fu’ old place has been severely damaged, because there, Fascist vandalism can be carried out with comparative safety. The famous fortifications, whereof the Italians talk so much, were installed in the fifteenth century, and now only serve as refuges for hundreds of homeless, huddling in the vau ts. We hope to capture the Ital’an air-bases in Albania. The, arrival is more eagerly awaited of British planes to end Corfu’s agony. The latest communique from the Greek Ministry of Public Seturity mentions three further raids on civilian population', the majority cf the bomb victims being women and infants. It is officially stated that Italian air-raids on undefended Greek towns and village's in the first month of the war- killed GO4 civilians and injured 1070. Admiral Cunningham has written to the Greek navy paying a tribute to the skill of their officers and seamen, since the outbreak, especially mentioning the successful operations of Greek destroyers and submarines in regions against much superior forces. “We are proud to col’aborate with the Royal' Hellenic Navy, he wrote.

ed: “Greek troops achieved another notable success in a sector northward of Permeti.. Our artillery crushed stubborn enemy resistance. An enemy tank attack on either side of the highway also failed. We occupied Permeti, capturing over five hundred prisoners, six . guns, and abundant material. Our aircraft successfully bombed fixed and moving targets. Greek troops in Argyrokastron sector crossed the Drohuli River near the village of Vaniste Libohiva, about eight miles south-westward of Argyrokastron.”

Greek' troops 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. Between two a.m. and nine a.m. British planes heavily bombed the road from Lin to Elbasan. The Italians have been unable to use the road since Monday. The value of booty so far captured from the Italians is estimated at ten millions sterling. Small mortars captured are believed sufficient to equip the entire Greek Army.

Greek Confidence LINE STRAIGHTENED [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 5, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 4. “After severe fighting in the past few days, Greek forces everywhere command heights overlooking enemy positions, including heights dominating Permeti, the capture of which is momentarily expected,” says “The Times” Athens correspondent. “A straightening out of the zigzag 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 further be shortened when Saranda and Argyrokastron fall, which is expected. 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, Greeks generally are .unshakeably convinced that victory will be finally achieved. The army’s spirit is very high. Troops marching back for a few days’ rest declare themselves willing to forego rest and carry on. Those going to the front line cheer and sing. A Greek spokesman said that Italians were withdrawing on all fronts, evacuating Saranda, Argyrokastron and Permeti.”

The British United Press Athens icdjrrespondent says: ’’“Greek patrols to-night entered the outskirts of Saranda.”

Air Commodore Dalbiac, who is commanding the R.A.F. in Greece, has been promoted to be Air ViceMarshal.

ITALIANS DENOUNCED. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 6, 1.20 a.m.) ATHENS, December 5. The whole Greek press is voicing fierce indignation over the bombing of Corfu, and atrocities of the Italian troops. One war correspondent says Greek soldiers, entering elaborate enemy defencb works, found .girls carried off by Italian officers from neighbouring villages sacrificed to a Fas'cist slogan of love and war

ITALIAN REPORT. GREEK ATTACKS RESISTED. LONDON, December 4An Italian communique states: The Italians in Greece resisted attacks from numerous formations of Greeks, which renewed their attacks after considerable artillery preparation. We carried out violent bombings of the Greeks’ positions. An enemy cruiser shelled the Italian installation at Alula, and caused some damage. ROME, Decembr 4. Italians of the 1922 class, comprising 150,000, have been called to the colours. It Is officially stated that 30 trains are repatriating, before Christmas, over 50,000 Italian agricultural labourers, from Germany. RUGBY, December 5Further developments of the Greek success were discussed by the Secretary of State for India (Mr L. S. Amery) in a speech. Italy’s misadventure, he said might yet enable the Allies to open a back door to Germany. If the Greeks could hold on until Britain had disposed of the Italians in Egypt, Britain might then have a foothold to threaten the German flank in the event of an attack on Turkey. Through this avenue Britain could deal a mortal blow at the German dragon. Signor Mussolini’s misfortunes were an indication that the Italians were being defeated because they were fighting a war they knew to be unjust and unnecessary. The Greeks, on the other hand, were fighting like heroes with a passionate conviction in their cause, and a burning resentment against the outrage to their country. Greek successes acted as cheering developments for her friends and a warning to countries that might have been contemplating joining the Axis.

The “New York Times” states that Signor Mussolini’s reverses in Greece have made a mockery of his threats and boasts of the “hammer blows” to be delivered by the Axis. The Soviet Army’s newspaper, the “Red Star,” says that the Greeks now hold the most favourable strategicpositions.

Greeks’ Rejection

OF ITALY’S DEMANDS. TENSE SCENE AT ATHENS. WELLINGTON. December 3. A dramatic story of how Italy presented the ultimatum to Greece was told by Mr Garland, Greek ViceConsul for New Zealand, who has just returned from a visit to Australia. While in Sydney, Mr Garland was shown official documents at the Consulate, which told the whole story. The ultimatum was delivered by a trick, said Mr Garland. In the early hours of the morning, the Greek Premier, General Metaxas was called from bed telephone. He was told that the Ambassador for France was speaking, and he had something important to tell him. He invited the caller round to his house, and when he opened the door, the Italian Ambassador thrust the ultimatum into his hand. General Metaxas opened the document and read Italy’s demands for the handing over to Italy of Corfu, Cephalonia Salonica, Pirius and Crete. General Metaxas did not

read further, but exclaimed: “This means war!” It was then the turn of the Italian Ambassador to regitser surprise. He expostulated with the Greek Premier and assured him that resistance would be useless. Italy had an air fleet ready, and also armies, he said, and within three hours she would strike, if the demands were not accepted at this stage. General Metaxas did not hesitate, he exclaimed: “Come if you dare,” and shut the door on his visitor. Mr Garland said the resistance of the Greek Government, hltd meant the turning point in the Axis drive to south-eastern Europe. The heroic successes of the Greek forces had stiffened the attitude of Turkey, and had influenced the positions of Bulgaria and Jugoslavia. Had Greece accepted Italy’s terms the whole course of history would have been changed.