Slow Italian Progress in Greece

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 270, 2 November 1940, Page 8

Slow Italian Progress in Greece

Yesterday's News

Main Thrust Down Coast Rome Report Suggests Heavier Attack is Developing United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, October 31. It is authoritatively stated in London that the Italian advance along the west coast of Greece from Hobispol is the strongest point of their attack. Fighting even in that area seems to be an affair of outposts. The Greek defensive line has not yet been reached. There is no official information of landings by British troops, but the Red Star, organ of the Soviet Army, stated to-day that the British Navy had prevented Italian landings at Crete and Corfu. The Home correspondent of the British Ijnitcd Press states the' a dispatch from Argyrokastron says that the i»ad weather has broken and that light Italian units advancing under a violent artillery barrage, have opened up a big attack. This report refers to the coastal attack—that is, the drive into Epirus. GREEKS ORDERED TO HOLD ORDERLY FRONT LINE A report from Belgrade says that the Italians are shelling Janina. (loannina), one of the primary objectives of the Italian drive into the Greek province of Epirus, and that heavy fighting continues near the Greek-Yugoslav border, on the Italian left wing—that is, the drive into Macedonia in the direction of Salonika. A message from Athens, however, says that the Greeks, counter-attacking north of Janina, are reported to have retaken a hill from the Italians and to have captured a considerable quantity of equipment. Greek bombers also attacked the Italian supply line. • - To-day's Italian communique does not claim an advance as far as Janina; it mentions the river Kalamas, some miles to the north^ of Janina, as the farthest part of the advance. The communique states; “Our forces, advancing in Epirus, have reached the river Kalamas at various points. The movement has not been »slowed down by the unfavourable weather or by the obstacles created by the enemy. Our air force bombed Patras, several troopships, the Lepanto military barracks, fortifications in Metsovo Pass, and junctions in the Kalamas Valley.” The Greek High Command has ordered the front-line positions to be held at all costs, and has issued orders to the troops not to attempt to follow up local successes. The Italians in one sector were caught in a trap. Machinegun nests mowed them down, upon which the local Greek commander, taking advantage of the rout, pursued the enemy intc Albania. Fifty Italian war prisoners arrived at Salonika to-day. GERMAN ATTITUDE TO THIRD POWERS Iho Italians have again bombed Patras, the seaport on the west coast of Greece, and also Navtaktos, on the Gulf of Corinth. Nine persons were killed and two buildings were destroyed. There have been no air-raids on Salonika. One-fifth of Greece’s coastal ships lie immobilised in the harbour. Five hundred Italian residents have been rounded up, but the Germans are still free. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that well-informed German circles are confident that the ItalianGreek conflict can be localised. They are convinced that Turkey will cot be involved if Bulgaria remains neutral. The Berlin radio to-day gave out the following from Wilhelms'.rassc (Foreign Office) ckrcles; “Germany’s relations with third Powers will always depend on the latter’s attitude towards Italy. Various official Italian statements have proved that unilateral favour was granted by Greece to Britain, and the Italian reaction is therefore but part of the common struggle against Britain.”