GREEK CAPTURES

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 5

GREEK CAPTURES

FURTHER HEIGHTS Dominating South Albania [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 4. The hundredth communique issued by Greek headquarters states that activity was restricted to patrols and artillery. There are further reports of the capture of material by the The Greeks have taken advantage of the bad weather to entrench themselves in defensive lines. Fog and snow have reduced tne visibility to nil in the central sector near Tepelene. llie capture by Greeks of a 6,0U0feet ridge on the central front has enabled them to dominate roads from Klisura and Valona to Berat. It is the strategic key to the whole cf southern Albania, and the way now lies open for Greek action on a wider scale.

Greek artillery beyond Klisura is hampering Italian positions. Fierce artillery exchanges are also proceeding ..I the Pogradec region. In the coastal area, beyond Himara, the Greeks after a determined assault occupied a high mountain pass, which the Italians had converted into a powerful stronghold. The Italians obviously intended to use the position as a base for mechanised counterattacks, and even undertook considerable road building, but all their plans were upset. The Greeks used the enemy’s road, to bring them closer to victory. It is believed that two battalions of fanatical Blackshirts who recently arrived from Italy, defended the Zog line defences, which Greeks penetrated, resulting in the capture of 800 prisoners. The Greek Press Ministry stated: Big fires at Tepelene indicate that the Italians are destroying their stores, and are preparing to evacuate. The successful action of the Greek forces continues unabated, despite very bad weather. Italian Attacks TO COVER WITHDRAWAL. LONDON, February 4. The main Italian activities have been mobile attacks by small groups. An order found on the body of a dead Italian officer shows that Signor Mussolini is offering rewards for men willing to undertake these sorties. In the central sector near Tepelene, the Italians are resisting. The object of this resistance appears to be simply to facilitate the movement of troops retiring from the Trebesina Heights, running approximately 10 miles north-eastward from the Tepe-lene-Klisura road, also the withdrawal from the western defiles in the Klisura region. Notwithstanding bad visibility, Greeks penetrated Italian lines and destroyed telephone cables, and brought back prisoners and machineguns. The Athens correspondent of “The Times” says: Italian counter-attacks are henceforward certain to encounter far greater difficulties, thanks to the big improvement in the Greek positions. The enemy command used all its available prestige to impress upon the troops the importance of the recent counter-attacks. Even Count Ciano according to prisoners' statements, assisted General Cavallero in arranging the dispositions. LATEST GREEK REPORT. (Received February 6, 12.50 a.m.). ATHENS, February 5. A Greek communique says: Our troops on Tuesday occupied important enemy positions, capturing numerous prisoners, and large quantities of arms, food, and munitions. ITALIAN HEADS GO TO FRONT. (Received February 6, 12.40 p.m.). ROME, February 5 Thirty-three leading Fascists, forming a Federal Directorate and Commission for discipline, have been replaced upon going to the front