GREEK STRATEGY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 300, 18 November 1940, Page 7

GREEK STRATEGY

MILITARY WELL PLEASED ITALIANS IN FLIGHT. (United Press Association—Copyright) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 17. Military spokesmen in Athens express themselves as extremely satisfied with the results of the operations, and agency reports say that with the occupation of Mount Moravia the Greek troops can see columns of Italian troops in flight from Konitza.

The latest report from Athens states that fierce fighting is continuing tor Koritza, 9 miles inside the Albanian frontier. A report of its capture has reached Salonika, but Athens states that the Italians are still holding, a mountain north-east of the town. Iho Greeks are so close that the officers have difficulty in restraining them from the final assault. The Italians’ setting fire to the town only completed the work of the Greek heavy mountain artillery, which has been for three days shelling houses, barracks and supply depots. Greek columns are reported to have reached the Albanian frontier at two points, from which they are able to control tbe two main roads from Albania to Greece and prevent reinforcements and munitions for the invaders.

INITIATIVE WRESTED. GREEKS’ CAPTURES OF ARMS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 16. The main comment in official circles in London on recent events in Greece is to the effect that, though Italy probably has an army of from 200,000 to 250,000 engaged and good stocks ol food and ammunition, she will be unable to conduct a major campaign against Greece unless she is able to keep her communications open. It is significantly pointed out that Durazzo, the Albanian port which has lately been the object of Allied attentions, is said to handle 80 per cent, ot the stores entering from Italy. Regarding the recent appointment ot General Soddu as Italian Cdmmander-in-Chief, it is noted that he has divided his forces into two armies, one of which is commanded by General \ ercellino, formerly commander of the mechanised army, and the other by General Geloso, one-time G.U.L. in Albania. " Referring to claims in a Greek communique to tho capture of about 700 prisoners and 10 cannon, military circles state that these were probably in the Pindus area, though operations have also been proceeding at Bihsht, east of Koritza, on Albanian soil. MASS OF MATERIAL.

Describing Ihe Greek success, the Tunes Daman correspondent states that the Greek army is still counting tue booty captured. Up to Thursday night the total was 14 heavy guns, lb2 heavy machine-guns, 237 light ma-chine-guns, 30 sub-machine-guns, 87t>3 rifles, 239 lorries loaded with material, 373 cases of small arms ammunition, 1755 shells, 637 mules and 172 horses. ' - The correspondent adds that while the Greek offensive has effectively wrested the initiative from the enemy, the Greek air force, as well as tiie R.A.F., has sown confusion in the Italian ranks. He refers to the havoc caused by the R.A.F. at Valona and Durazzo and says the damage already inflicted by the R.A.F. to the landingfield at Argyrokastron is important as well as the damage which the Greeks and the R.A.F. inflicted at Koritza. The Argyrokastron landing-field was made in 1939, ostensibly for Italian civil airlines. The principal landingground at Koritza is still unfinished, for the clayey soil necessitates the sowing of plants to hold the ground together under rain. This has never been done, and, therefore, war damage apart, this field will probably become a muddy mess as soon as the rains set in heavily.