DEFENCE OF VALONA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 13 February 1941, Page 5

DEFENCE OF VALONA

HASTY PREPARATIONS ITALIAN LINE OF RESISTANCE NEW TACTICS IN GREEK WAR [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] LONDON, 11th February. “The Times” Athens correspondent says that both sides appear to be developing new tactics and the Italians have suddenly begun to display an unwonted taste for night operations, while the Greeks are reviving tactics of the early days of the war. Prisoners assert that the Italians are hastily constructing fresh defences south-eastward of Berat, leading southwards then westwards to the coast northward of Himara. This is evidently a line on which the enemy are intending to make a desperate resistance for the defence of VaLona. Prisoners also declare that the Italians have lost more men in the last fortnight than in the rest of the campaign. The Greek official communique states: “Our aircraft brought down one enemy plane.” The present military situation in Albania is described in military circles here as one of vigorous Italian counterattacks conducted with reinforcements and of successful Greek resistance. It is thought probable that the Italians must be sustaining heavy losses. From Athens it is reported that in the latest operations the Greeks further improved their position in capturing heights in the north and that in an advance in the Klissurd area a further small batch of prisoners was taken. (Received 13th February, 9.45 a.m.) ATHENS, 12th February. The night communique reports limited patrol and artillery action. TEPELENE BOMBED (British Official Wireless) (Received 13th February, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, 12th February. The headquarters of the British forces m Greece report that the town of Tepelene has been successfully attacked by R.A.F. bombers, as also were military stores north-west of the town. Bombs were seen to explode on store buildings at Tepelene and on the main road between two warehouses.