FIERCE BATTLES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 88, 13 March 1941, Page 7

FIERCE BATTLES

FIGHTING IN ALBANIA. SIXTH HAY OE STRUGGLE. LONDON, March 12. A message from Athens says that battles are raging all along the front. The main battlefield is still on the central sector, where the Greek offensive has entered the sixth day.

The Italian losses are reported to be very high and many tanks have been destroyed. The Ii.A.F. has again given valuable assistance to the north ot Tepelene.

The Pre6s Ministry stated that Signor Bottai (Fascist Education Minister) was killed when firing on his own retreating troops. Rome denies that Signor Bottai has been killed. It asserts that the r person was a Major Bottai. A communique issued by the headquarters of the British Forces in Greece to-day states that troops and motor transport on the Glava-Buzi road were attacked by an R.A.F. bomber formation yesterday, but the full results of the raid were not observed owing to low cloud. Our fighters intercepted a large formation of enemy fighters in the central sector of the front and five were definitely shot down and a number of others severely damaged. All ours returned safely, says a British Official Wireless # message.

COMPLETE FAILURE,

ITALIAN COUNTER-ATTACKS

LONDON, March 12,

The Italians are making a violent effort to regain their lost positions at various points in Albania, but so far have failed completely. The Greeks are •continuing their offensive in the central sector, where they have brought in over 3000 prisoners. Ti e Athens spokesman reports that the Greeks literally mowed down the advancing Italians. Those lucky enough to survive fell back thoroughly demoralised.

An Athens night communique says: The enemy’s violent offensive operations have continued, but all attacks have been repulsed with heavy losses. As a result of our counter-attacks we took prisoner 450, including three senior officers.

The Rome radio asserts that the Greek High Command has resorted to new propaganda tactics. In the Ja6t few nights loud-speakers in the front lines have told Italians that Greece has already won the war.