Italians Prepare New Resistance

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 2, 3 January 1941, Page 7

Italians Prepare New Resistance

REPORT OF ARRIVAL OF AID FROM GERMANY LONDON, Jan. 1. A Reuter’s message states that the Italians are preparing a line of fortified positions north to Elbasan and then north to the Yugoslav frontier. Further important Greek successes were announced tonight by the Athens spokesman, who stated that in one sector new positions have been taken which are of the most strategic importance. More prisoners and many heavy guns, machine-guns and mortars have been captured. Further north from this particular sector more strategic heights have been taken by the Greeks. ( A Greek radio broadcast announcement said: "Greek troops are operating successfully throughout that front. Two enemy air raids were repulsed, no damage being caused.” An Athens communique says: “We | have captured eight guns, many automatic arms and mortars and much material. We broke up a ski detachment which tried to operate and took its arms and some prisoners.” A further communique reports that a tank attack was made by the enemy but it was repulsed and one tank was captured. On December 30 two enemy planes were shot down. Greek headquarters on Monday issued the following communique: “There hasbeen successful local fighting on various fronts. More than 1000 prisoners have been captured, including an entire battalion, officers and men.” The Greek radio states that the Greeks broke through strong Italian entrenchments constituting the advance defences of Valona and dislodged the Italian defenders. The same is true in the Pindus sector north of Klisura, where white-feather covered Bersaglieri were dislodged. Here quick Greek penetration prevented the consolidation of the Italian entrenchments. The Greeks manoeuvring skilfully, encircled small segments cut off in the mountains.