CAPTURE OF PERMET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 December 1940, Page 5

CAPTURE OF PERMET

OPENS WAY IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA To Still Further Greek Successes PRISONERS AND MUCH BOOTY TAKEN

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] (Received 6th December, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, sth December. + The War Ministry in Athens announced that the Greek troops have achieved other notable successes in the sector northward of Permet. “Our artillery crushed the stubborn enemy resistance,” it stated, “and an enemy tank attack on either side of the highway also failed. We occupied Permet, capturing more than 500 prisoners, six guns and abundant material. Our aricraft successfully bombed fixed and moving targets. The Greeks in the Argyrokastron sector crossed the Drohuli River near the villages of Vaniste and Libohiva, about eight miles to the south-west of Argyrokastron. The Greeks in the central sector, it is reported, advanced along the northern road in the direction of Elbasan and occupied villages of the Khukus and Djura without having to fight. Between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. British planes heavily bombed the road from Lin to Elbasan. The Italians have been unable to use the road since Monday. The value of the booty captured from the Italians is estimated at £10,000,000. The small mortars captured are believed to be sufficient to equip the entire Greek Army. VACATING ARGYROKASTRON [British Official Wireless] (Received 6th December, 1 1.30 a.m.) RUGBY, sth December. The British Press regards the Greek’s capture of Permet and the commanding positions they occupy threatening Santi Quaranto as opening up prospects of still further successes in southern Albania. According to Athens reports the Italians are still retreating all along the front and last night were reported to be vacating Argyrokastron.

GREEK LINE STRAIGHTENED Thrusting toward the sea in Albania’s southern pocket, the Greeks are reported to have reached points within a few hundred yards of Sar_ ande. The Greeks at dawn resumed the advance which yesterday brought them within a mile and a quarter of Sarande. [After the occupation of Albania Mussolini renamed Sarande Port Edda, after his daughter Edda.] The net result of the Greek operations in the last 36 hours has been the ironing out of a number of pockets in their line in southern Albania. Dispatches received in Athens this morning report a new Greek victory resulting in the occupation of the forest of Bouna, after the destruction of the 60-called “Death Battalions” of the Ferrara division in a nightlong battle in which the Italians stubbornly resisted. The Greek advance in the Argyrokastron sector is expected to be considerably facilitated by this decisive engagement. Though not so spectacular, the Greeks scored successes in other sectors and dislodged strongly entrenched detachments from the heights ol Mount Ostrovitse. The Greeks heavily repulsed an Italian counter-attack near Lake Okhrida and captured many prisoners. An improvement in the weather resulted in intense air activity by both sides. HEIGHTS OCCUPIED After severe fighting during the past few days the Greeks everywhere command heights overlooking the enemy’s positions, including the heights dominating Premet, the capture of which is momentarily expected, says the Athens correspondent of “The Times.” The straightening out of the zigzag Greek line in the past few days will result in economy of men and an increase in the striking force of the Greek army. The line will be further shortened when Sarande and Argyrokastron fall. Important advances on the extreme right toward the interior also promise well for future operations. Though the enemy’s forces and capabilities must not be underrated, the Greeks generally are unshakably convinced that victory will finally be achieved. The army’s spirit is very high and troops marching back for a few days’ rest declare that they are willing to forego the rest and carry on. Those going to the front line cheer and sing. A Greek spokesman said the Italians were withdrawing on all fronts and were evacuating Sarande, Argyrokastron and Premet. The British United Press correspondent in Athens says Greek patrols to-night entered the outskirts of Sarande. ITALIANS POUNDED Unofficial reports says that the Greeks are pounding the Italians with artillery and air bombardment all along the line from the Adriatic to the Yugoslav frontier preparatory to further advances. One message from the northern front says that the weather has improved and the snowfall has lessened. This has made the Greek operations easier and they have worked closer to the retreating Italians. Along the northern front the Italian rearguard has been severely mauled, and it is stated that most of the Italian dead are Black Shirts who had been rushed up to stiffen the Italian resistance. The Greeks have captured stocks of food which will go a long way toward feeding the Greek forces. In the central part of the front the Greeks are reported to have captured new positions from which their artillery can command the advanced Italian positions. Greek bombers have been adding to the havoc created by their artillery. Yesterday they bombed Italian columns and other targets at Berat and Valona, as well as the Italian base at Elbasan and Italian formations in the valley of the River Shkumbi. A Greek air communique speaks enthusiastically of the help given to the Greek troops by Royal Air Force planes, which have bombed Italian supply bases and ports in Albania. It is now confirmed that British planes destroyed four enemy aircraft in Albania on Monday, not two as previously announced.

ITALY’S BOMBING METHODS

CARDINAL’S CONDEMNATION LONDON, 4th December To-day Cardinal Hinsley, Archbishop of Westminster, condemned Italy's indiscriminate slaughter of non-com-batants by air attack. In a message to the head of the Catholic Church in Athens he said that nothing better could be expected of totalitarian paganism, but that the voice of the Christian condemned such savagery, by whoever it was practised. “We find it hard to suppose,” said Cardinal Hir,sley, “that the Italian people lend themselves freely to the methods of cruel violence and injustice which have been practised on the Greek nation.”