STRONG POSITIONS LOST

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

STRONG POSITIONS LOST

I GREEKS DRIVE OUT ENEMY AIR BATTLE OVER ITALIAN LINES R.A.F. SUCCESSES [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] Received 6th Dec., 12.45 p.m. LONDON, sth December. The Greek advance drove the Italians out of many strong positions along the whole front yesterday and heavy Italian losses in men and material are reported. Only the Italian rearguards are holding Argyrokastron states the British United Press Athens correspondent.

Isolated Italian units are reported to be covering the retreat of the whole coastal sector, while the Eleventh Army Corps is establishing a new line running along the heights between Himara and Tepelene. with advanced positions around Palermo which is on the coast sixteen miles above Saranda.

An Athens message states that the Ital ian withdrawal from Saranda is reported to be continuing. Mechanised columns are moving equipment twenty miles along the coast to prevent it falling into Greek hands. The Greeks have already captured valuable booty in the region which was once an important Italian provisioning base. The Greek Government spokesman says that Greek dive-bombers hit the Italian barracks crowded with reinforcements at Tepelene, and also bombed the only serviceable bridge across the Svojiuza river, disrupting Italian communications.

A communique issued at British headquarters at Athens say that in a fierce battle over the enemy lines our fighters without loss shot down a large number of enemy planes. Greek sources say ten machines, but confirmation is awaited.

Our bombers and fighters successfully attacked retreating enemy troops and concentrations of troops. Off Saranda our bombers attacked a destroyer, scoring two direct hits, and the destroyer was listing heavily when the planes withdrew.