FOURTEEN DOWN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 90, 15 March 1941, Page 7

FOURTEEN DOWN

ITALIAN AIRCRAFT.

BATTLE IN ALBANIA

LONDON, March, 14

British fighters have carried out another smashing blow on the Italian air force in Albania. No fewer than 14 machines were brought down yesterday during an engagement north of Tepelene.

The engagement occurred when a numerically, superior force of enemy planes was encountered. In addition to those destroyed, a number of others were damaged. .Not a single British machine was lost.

According to the Press Association a Greek night communique says: "The enemy's offensive continued all day, launching repeated attacks on a wide front and using large forces of infantry supported by strong artillery fire and many aircraft. All the attacks were . repulsed with heavy losses.". The Government spokesman said the enemy's chief onslaught yesterday was against fortified positions in the central sector, which the Greeks had previously captured. To the left of this seetorthe enemy also launched a moonlight attack, while northward other enemy forces of fair strength attacked without artillery preparation, apparently hoping to spring a surprise. The Greeks in their counter-attacks reached all their objectives, taking prisoner 240, including two lieutenant-colonels and 12 other officers.

The Athens radio stated that recent Italian officer prisoners include Professor Pellegrini, a Fascist Grand Councillor, who was severely wounded.