GREEK NORTHERN ARMY SURRENDERS TO ITALIANS

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 97, 24 April 1941, Page 7

GREEK NORTHERN ARMY SURRENDERS TO ITALIANS

King and Government Leave For Crete Other Armies Fighting in New Defence Line Received Wednesday, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, April 23. Rome officially announces that the Greek Army of Epirus and Macedonia has surrendered to Italy’s eleventh army. An Athens message says King George announces that he and his Government are leaving for Crete. King George, in a message to the Greek people, said: “ X and my Ministers are compelled to leave Athens and transfer the Government to Crete. “The Greek Army in Epirus has surrendered without the knowledge of the Government.” "From there in co-operation with our Allies we will continue to fight against the unprovoked aggression of the two powerful enemies who have invaded our country. It is my will and that of my Government and people that we continue our resistance till final victory is assured. “The capitulation of the Epirus Army was made without the knowledge of my Government and in no way binds the King or Government. “Greeks! Do not be despondent in this critical moment in our history. Trust in God and final victory is assured.” It is pointed out in London that the Greek Army in Epirus has been fighting heroically for five months in Albania against greatly superior forces. The Germans yesterday announced the capture of Janina in the rear of these Greek forces, therefore the fact that they have found further hostilities impossible is not surprising. There is little news of the other Greek and Allied forces which have retired to the new defensive lines, but the Allied line is intact and German efforts to break it have failed. Enemy air activity has been intense and damage has bsen done to shipping in various ports. It is announced that General Sir Thomas Blarney, commander of the Australian forces, has been appointed deputy Commander-in-Chief Middle East, an appointment which is welcomed by General Sir Archibald Wavell, who gives the Australian commander the highest praise for the brilliant achievements of the Anzacs in their unequal battle against overwhelming odds. Amazed at Continued Allied Resistance AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT EXPECTED EARLIER COLLAPSE Received Wednesday, 10.50 p.m. NEW YORK, April 22. The New York Times’ correspondent went to Turkey whence he cabled a description of the fighting in Greece. “I am amazed that the fighting continues because the position appeared hopeless on April 18 when the Government was prepared to evacuate Athens and actually sent the newspapers an announcement to that effect which was withdrawn before publication. “Athens feared a coup d’etat on April 18 when armed Britons and Greeks patrolled the streets, but King George seized power and threatened to execute the first man seeking an armistice. The Athenian streets were then filled with soldiers returned from the front but small numbers of British reinforcements were still arriving. “The Government even at April 15 considered it impossible that the British and Imperial forces could successfully retire from the line hinged on Mount Olympus. This withdrawal succeeded due to immeasurable bravery. “The R.A.F. is fighting gallantly, but is gradually being worn down. I spoke to one pilot who said he had fought without sleep for 120 hours and strafed endless lines of Germans until he exhausted his ammunition. He added that the Germans were destroying the British airfields.” Mr. Sulzberger attributes the Yugoslav collapse to the treachery of the Fifth Column as well as the overwhelming German quantitative superiority.