ITALIAN RESISTANCE STIFFENS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN RESISTANCE STIFFENS

ALBANIAN WAR THEATRE GREEKS ADVANCE ALONG COAST [U.P.A.-By Electric- Telegraph-Copyright] Received 1 Ith Dec., 10.30 a.m. LONDON, 1 oth December. The Greeks are reported to , have occupied important new positions after inflicting heavy losses on units of the Ninth Italian Division. The whole area along Lake Ohridsko has been cleared of Italians. Five hundred Albanians have surrendered to the Greeks in the Argyrokastron region. Three officers who deserted from the Ferrara division stated that they were utterly astounded at the abject collapse of the Italians. Mussolini is reported to be planning to go in person to Albania and examine the situation. j Snow is falling in the northern [section of the Albanian theatre | and according to information i available in authoritative military quarters in London Italian resistlance beyond Pogradec has stiffened. Some advance, however, has been made by the Greeks between the two main river valleys in this area. In the centre Kalcyre is reported to have been evacuated by the Italians. Importance would attach to such a development as the town stands on a road junction, and with Kalcyre in Greek hands an Italian retreat along the road which runs north to Berat would be cut. The biggest Greek advance continues to be in the coastal section and information that has reached London indicates that the Greeks are now at Piqeras on the coast some 1 5 miles north of Santi Quaranta. Monday’s operations are very briefly dealt with in a Greek G.H.Q. communique which says: "The struggle was continued today, again with success. We made a new advance." VALONA BOMBED [British Official Wireless] (Received 11th December, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY. 10th December. Headquarters of the British Air Force in Greece state that despite bad weatljer conditions on Monday R.A.F. bombers carried out offensive reconnaissance in the vicinity of Valona. Bimbs hit the south jetty and fell among buildings near the harbour. The British aircraft met with A.A. gunfire, but 'there was no fighter opposition. From all operations all the British aircraft returned safely. STORY OF ADVANCE [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] LONDON, 9th December. The Greek advance continues on all fronts. The Greeks advancing up the coast have reached a point 12 miles from Himara, which is on the coast about 20 miles north-west of Argyrokas' ron. The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the entire Italian right wing behind Sarande has been put to flight. The Greeks captured a series of strategically important peaks in the northern sector. The Greeks have so far occupied onequarter of the entire Albanian territo y. “Christmas in Tirana” is the new war cry of the Greek advance guard, which is methodically pursuing the remnants of the retreating Italians, while other troops are strongly garrisoning Argyrokastron and the police are restoring civilian life to normal. The Italian troops who evacuated Argyrokastron are now moving toward Himara. The Greek troops are pushing forward cautiously along this road, and are meeting with stubborn resistance by the Italian rearguard. The Italians retreating from Sarande have their flank threatened by the turning movement executed by the Greek command when taking Argyrokastron. Greek gendarmerie and other authorities have begun to take charge of the captured town, which, according to a correspondent, has not suffered as much damage as previous reports indicatedLONDON. 9th December. “The Times” says the Greeks have taken prisoner about 2500 Italians in five days—insufficient to betoken an Italian rout, but considerable quantities of stores have also apparently been captured. The Greeks now control the whole length of the lateral Koritza-Sarande road, which should be valuable to their operations. The capture of the heights around Moskopolis bring them within comparatively easy distance of Berat. If Berat is captured, Valona is likely to share the fate of Sarande. The “Daily Mail’s” Athens correspondent says the absence of light tanks robbed the Greek strategy and bravery of a full triumph at Argyrokastron similar to that at Koritza. The same shortage is handicapping the advance of the Greek right wing beyond Pogradec. Huge fires broke out at Lin last night. The Italians are believed to be burning st. res