Air and Naval Bases Established

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 270, 2 November 1940, Page 7

Air and Naval Bases Established

Slow Italian Advance Causes Bewilderment United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright Received Friday, 7.55 p.m. LONDON, October 31. British bombers in addition to reconnaissance planes in Greek and Italian waters are reported to have joined in attacks against military objectives on the Albanian border. Greek newspapers widely published the reports of the attacks and declared that the British have established air and naval bases on Greek soil and have already engaged the Italians at sea- They also repeated an American broadcast that British troops, under the guns of the Royal Navy, landed on strategic islands around Greece. For military reasons details cannot be given. Greek naval units heavily shelled the Italian advance positions on the mainland opposite Corfu. No Italian warships or planes appeared. The Daily Mail’s Sofia correspondent says the Italian’s slow advance in Greece is causing bewilderment in the Balkans. Messages from Rome ostentatiously describe the operations as a “punitive expedition.” Axis propaganda even hints that the war will fizzle out when the Italians have gained a few successes for their prestige. The Rome radio says: “The Italian advance has not been pursued with lightning speed because wc still hope the Greek Government will repent their rash action; secondly, mountain fighting must be Blow and sure, economising lives and material before sweeping on to a conquering adyance.” The Lavora Fascists says artillery trains have been placed at strategic points protecting the Italian coasts. Special surface craft will guide the fire from the trains. The Ankara correspondent of the Times says the Turks accept the Italian invasion of Greece as advantageous to Britain on the ground that Greek bases will bring Britain nearer to Italy while not bringing Italy nearer to Africa. They will be much disappointed if Britain does not take advantage of the conflict between Italy and Greece by putting an air force within bombing range of the Italian ports and Rumanian oilfields- It is not believed Germany is ready to move from Rumania before the winter, which renders military operations impracticable. A British communique states that Naples was bombed for the first time during the war. A number of bombs, including incendiaries, were dropped and caused damage.