IN ALBANIA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1940, Page 5

IN ALBANIA

GREEK ADVANCE FIGHT FOR ELBASAN. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, December 8. The battle for Elbasau was resumed on Sunday morning with undiminished violence, despite a gale and snowstorms sweeping the Kaiuma Mokra mountains. The Greek forces, advancing northwards from Pogradec, are now beyond Undinste. Italian reinforcements are unavailing. “Italian forces now hold only secondary roads in Southern. Albania, one minor road in Central Albania, between Y a lon a and Tcpelena,” says “The Times” Athens correspondent. Prior to the Greek entry, the Italians had previously evacuated Argyrokas, tron, alter burning dumps and supplies there, but the Greeks delayed the occupation for tactical reasons, while their forces were pushed on among mountains north-east of the city. Fifteen days after the Greek entry to Koritza, thousands of tons of ammunition were found in a. cache under the town, at least half of which was immediately usable by the Greeks. LATER GREEK REPORT ATHENS, December 9. A Greek communique states:, Throughout Monday we have carried out aggressive actions in various sectors, These fights have been completely successful, resulting in the occupation of important new strategic positions. The village of Radokale, which was the hist point of Italian resistance, has fallen to the Greeks. TO SURPRISE THE GREEKS 1 Athens Allegations LONDON, December 8. An Athens message says a. Greek white book has been issued which details evidence as to Italian war guilt from the time of the rape of Albania. It includes photostats of two documents issued to officers on the Albanian Irontier days before the ultimatum to Greece. One, from the Commander of the now-decimated Third Alpine Division. was issued six days before the Italian Minister gave a dinner at which the Greek and Italian flags were fraternally interwined. This document stated that the Commanders of the Sixth and Ninth Alpine Regiments must open outlets across the frontier,, adding: “My intention is to reach Greek positions without frontier posts giving an alarm. Aou must, therolorc, eliminate sentinels, cut telephone lines, occupy Greek outposts, and capture their garrisons.” ATHENS CELEBRATION LONDON, December 8. The sirens of all ships in Pirous; joined with a ringing of ehurchbolls in 1 Athens on Sunday night lor a celebration of the Greek occupation of Argyrokastron, in Albania. Great crowds gathered in the' streets of the capital, cheering the King and the Premier. General Motaxas, who, making a brief speccn, declared: “Fleeing Italians are unable to maintain a unified front.” Crowds, spotting British bluejackets, carried them shoulder high. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Athens correspondent says: General Metaxas, Greek Premier, was the author of the whole Greek plan of operations, and is also the directing master-mind. RAID ON DURAZZQ STRUGA (Yugoslavia), Dec. 8. ; British and Greek aircraft are reported to have destroyed a third of the buildings in Durazzo, on Saturday, and also to have hit petrol stores, it stated, but without confirmation, that Greek advance units occupied the village of Gjinari within nine miles of Elbasau. Refugees are crowding Tirana, where conditions are chaotic. There is grave danger of epidemics. DODECANESE ISLANDS LONDON, December S. Two special correspondents the “Daily Mail’s” All* Ward Price, and the “Daily 'Telegraph’s” Cairo corres-pondent-state that Count do Voccln resigned as Governor after advising Mussolini of bis inability to bold the Dodecanese.lslands against the British. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent says that, when Italy invaded Greece, do Yecolii swiltly toured the Dodecanese Islands and drew’ up a careful list of dry oil-tanks and scarce food. Meanwhile, the natives were growing increasingly hostile. Alter the British occupation of Crete, do Yeeclii informed Pome that the Dodecanese Islands were unable to take offensive action or stand a Prolonged siege. Ho therefore advised tlieir surrender, in order that lta y could cut her losses. Mr Ward Price simultaneously suggests that Count de Yecchi’s admission of weakness makes a British naval occupation of the islands imperative. The “Times” says: 1 here ls 110 reason to doubt that Badoglio considered he could mi longer bold Ins position.