ALBANIAN FRONT

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1941, Page 5

ALBANIAN FRONT

AIR OPERATIONS Greeks Report Success [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received February 24, 9.50 p.m.) ATHENS, February 24. A Greek communique states: There has been local artillery action. Our Air Force shot down two enemy planes, and probably two more. One of our planes is missing. Our antiaircraft guns shot down another Italian plane. LONDON, February 23. Better weather has enabled the Allies to intensify the bombing and machine-gunning of Italian positions and encampments in Albania, with good results. An Athens radio spokesman said that the latest Greek successes had given them positions from which they could more easily reach their main objectives. Greek artillery could now operate more actively, because it could now dominate the whole area.

A Reuter correspondent says that the Greeks launched two attacks, one north of Pogradetz, in which 200 Italians were captured, and the other, much larger, on the central front, in which the Italians suffered heavy losses. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, February 23.

An R.A.F. Middle East. communique states: In further successful raids by R.A.F. bombers, considerable damage was done to enemy storage dumps, motor transport columns in the Buzi area, near Tepelene, yesterday. “In’ the Preveza area, one of the British lighter patrols shot down three enemy aircraft —a three-engin-ed seaplane, which crashed into the sea, and two three-engined bombers. Italian Attempt TO REORGANISE IN CENTRAL SECTOR (Received February 24, 9 p.m.) ATHENS, February 23. Directed from new observation posts overlooking Italian lines in the central sector, Greek artillery heavily shelled points where Italians are attempting to reorganise after a recent retreat. Greek Review LAST WEEK’S SUCCESS (Received Feb. 25, 1.50 a.m.) ATHENS, February 24. The Greek Government spokesman stated that Greek forces last week captured 1272 Italians, including 30 officers. The Greeks during the week repulsed sixteen Italian counter-at-tacks, with heavy enemy casualties. They also secured considerable war material. Greek airmen shot down six enemy planes without loss during the week.