ALBANIAN CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1941, Page 5

ALBANIAN CAMPAIGN

ACTION MORE LIMITED Latest Greek Reports [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, January 13. The latest communique issued by the Greek High Command says only that prisoners have been taken and that there has been patrol and artillery activity. An air raid alarm was sounded at Athens last night, and lasted one hour. The main Greek drive is now in the north, towards Elbasan, where the northern army is swinging to the west. Reports from the frontier state that the Greeks advanced up the Shkumbi Valley towards Elbasan, taking strategic points at Garvani, west of Kukush. Heavily fortified positions have been shelled on the coast and there has been restricted patrol activity. Some prisoners have been taken and are reported to be in a miserable condition. The Italians are continuing their retreat north, and enemy motorised columns have been heavily machine-gunned from the air.

The Greek radio reports that the Greeks’ coastal successes continue and the advance west of Moskopolis is going on. All the enemy’s attacks on the Pogradetz sector were repulsed. Military circles here learned that the Greeks made a slight but very important advance north and northwest of Klisura, which brings them behind that town well over the road to Bearut. Tepelini, westward, is consequently placed in what is described as a “pretty awkward position,” the Greeks having pushed on along heights—perhaps four to five kilometres—towards Tepelini. It is, however, considered too early to say that Tepelini is lost to the Italians, particularly as the best part of a new Italian division has appeared in that sector.

Some messages say that there have been clashes between the Italians and Albanians. Albanian guerillas ’’tesge joining forces in the hills, and are reinforced by members of their families and by deserters from the Italian Army. The causes of unrest are said to be the shortage of food, the Italians being reluctant to share the meagre stores available with the Albanians, and the manner in which the Italians are laying waste the country and destroying villages as they retreat.

FIGHT FOR TEPELENA. GREEKS NOT YET IN POSSESSION LONDON, January 13. The Greeks continue their offensive all along the front northward and westward of Klisura, tightening the noose around Tepelena. The fierceness of the Greek artillery and aerial bombardment makes it almost impossible for the enemy to entrench with any surety. A spirited Greek offensive prevented the Italian efforts to reinforce their positions northward of Himara. “The Times” Athens correspondent says: The Italians are not enjoying a single day’s respite since the fall of Klisura. The Greeks are exploiting the victory to the utmost. The enemy are retreating towards Berat, but are vigorously contesting each successive height. Over 100 Italian ’planes dropped 1000 bombs on the heights around Klisura, attempting to protect the retreat of their troops.

•The Greeks are reported to have made gains in the northern sector. There were hand-to-hand engagements at several points, before Italians were thrown back. The Greeks captured a large number of packmules, making the Fascist supply problem more difficult, because it is impossible to replace the mules under 'present conditions. The “Daily Express” Athens correspondent says: The Greek police are completing an inquiry into the question of hostages carried off by the Italians, before the Italians retreated from Greek soil.. At first, it was believed that only prominent citizens in each village were seized, but it has now been established that whole families were carried off. Four hundred were seized at Konitza.

MONDAY OPERATIONS ON LIMITED SCALE (Received January 14. 9.40 p.m.) .ATHENS, January 14. The Greek night, communique on Monday stated: There has been limited action to-day. Som ( > prisoners wer P taken, including two officers, and four tanks were captured SUNDAY’S LIMITED ACTIONS RUGBY, January 13. An official Greek communique states: “Actions on Sunday were restricted to patrols and artillery fire. Some prisoners were captured.” LAST OF ANCIENT HOUSE. ROME, January 13. Duke Camillo Caetani, 25, a lieutenant, has been killed on the Greek front. He was the last of the line of Caetanis, who had given the Church two Popes and several Cardinals.