LINE BROKEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 3 December 1940, Page 6

LINE BROKEN

, HUGE GAP IN ITALIAN CENTRE INITIATIVE STILL IN GREEK HANDS ADVANCE NOW SLOWER I UP.A -By Electric leiesi aph-Copyrighl Received 3rd Dec., 1 1.40 a.m. LONDON, 2nd December. The Athens correspondent o the Associated Press of Grea Britain reports that the Greek have captured 5000 Italians or the northern front. Their sur render is reported to have signall ed a general retreat by other Ital ian forces in the same area, leav ing a huge gap in the Italiar centre. The Greek military authorities forbid mention of the spot at which the Italian line is broken. Exchange Telegraph Aency’s correspondent at Moscoppolye says that heavy snow and a gale have slowed down the Greek advance, but the initiative is still in their hands. The latest victory has permitted the establishment of a new line in the extreme north. It is authoritatively stated in London that further Greek advances must now be expected to be slower. The Greeks cannot be expected to sweep on relentlessly straight through Albania. If the Greeks advance further they will reach the fiat coastal plains where the Italians’ superior equipment, particularly tanks, will be more advantageous than ir. the mountains. The Greek pursuit prevents the Italians driven from Pogradec from taking up new defence positions and wellaimed bands of Albanian rebels threaten them in the rear near Elbasan. These rebels are reported to be commanded by a supporter of ex-King Zog. ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE (Received 3rd December. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, 2nd December. An Italian communique says: “Violent enemy attacks on the Greek front were everywhere repelled. Our coun-ter-attacks threw the enemy back to their starting lines with heavy losses, particularly on the right wing of the Ninth Italian Army. Colonel Trizzio, leading the 47th Regiment, met an heroic death. Enemy planes bombed Kassala. Burao, Assab and Metemma where a number were killed and wounded.