TANK ATTACKS FUTILE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 24 March 1941, Page 7

TANK ATTACKS FUTILE.

ITALIANS AGAIN ROUTED.

LONDON, March. 22. The Greeks yesterday repulsed Ital- ■ ians attempting to penetrate in the ; central and northern sectors and captured prisoners, who confirm the reports that the Italian commanders are ! still attempting to reorganise their ; depleted ranks in order to retain their positions. i A Greek Government spokesman said that the Italians for three days had i relied on tanks for their attacks, but they were always turned under intense anti-tank gunfire. The latest attack was launched at night against a strong Greek position north of the ' Vojiuza River, but alter two hours i was routed. Greek patrols observed the Italians busily entrenching, wiring and fortifying their positions. Greek artillery fire according to the Press Ministry in Athens, resulted in the hitting of ammunition dumps. Daring the explosions the flames rose to a great height. Later there were more explosions as petrol dumps were hit and the flames roared 150 ft into the air.

TEPELENE HOLDS OUT. It is officially-denied in Athens that Tepeiene has fallen. It is explained that the Greek policy is to conquer the heights around the town instead of making a direct assault thus rendering the enemy's position more precarious. Tepeiene has been converted into a veritable fortress and every house is likely to be defended. The death of the high Fascist official, Count Farinacci, while leading a battalion of Blackshirts in hand-to-hand fighting around Tepeiene, is reported from Monastir. The Greek radio reports that of 2000 wounded in an Italian .military hospital 1500 are frostbitten and 100 have self-inflicted wounds. General Waved and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (Sir John Dill) have sent a telegram to the Greek commander (General Papagos) expressing admiration for the success.of the Greek army against the Italian attacks, successes which they declare augur well for the future, says a British Official Wireless report. General Pa pages, replying, said his joy was doubled because at the same time the British Army had been writing fresh pages of pdorious history at the expense of the common enemy. "At your side we face the future with confidence," he said.