BRILLIANT DELAYING ACTIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 April 1941, Page 5

BRILLIANT DELAYING ACTIONS

ANZACS IN GREECE NEW DEFENSIVE POSITIONS Heavy Enemy Casualties IBritish Official Wireless] (Rec. 9.50 a.m.) Rugby, Apl. 21. A Cairo communique states: 'Empire forces in conformity with the movement of the Greeks fighting on their left, are now approaching their new defensive positions. This withdrawal has been covered by Australians and New Zealanders, whose delaying action has been brilliantly conducted, causing the enemy heavy casualties. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] London, Apl. 21. The official German news agency claims that the Imperial forces are withdrawing along the road from Larissa to Lamia, 50 or 60 miles further south.

In spite of terrific casualties, the enemy continues to hurl masses of his troops into the battle. While the Germans are bringing fresh troops into northern Greece, the Allied line remains unbroken. A Greek midnight communique reports lively enemy air force activity over Albania, where the enemy attempted to attack the front line at two points but were chased back beyond their original positions. The Greeks took prisoners. In Macedonia and Tessaly the enemy, despite violent air activity, nowhere broke through our positions, which were adjusted according to plan. German planes attacked the Piraeus and Eleusis in waves, causing damage and casualties. They also bombed villages in Greece and Crete. Five were shot down.

A Greek Press Ministry bulletin says that along the whole line of the Allied forces the Germans are continuing to attack fiercely. The Allied line, which has been modified at some points on the initiative of the defenders, remains unbroken, and all the enemy’s violent efforts to force an immediate and decisive issue have failed. The German losses are enormous. The enemy is bringing up more and more reinforcements in mechanised units, infantry and aircraft, but in spite of all his efforts the Empire and Greek forces under the command of General Papagos are fighting like lions and still holding their positions. GERMANS PAY DEARLY The Greek bulletin says that the fighting was specially fierce yesterday. In the Kalabaka area the Germans, advancing in waves, attempted to force the position at all costs, but failed, and paid dearly in casualties. In the area south of Mount Olympus the Germans continue to sacrifice the lives of their soldiers in thousands without being able to break through. The bulletin says that the heroic exploits of the Australians and New Zealanders are weaving new legends around the slopes of Mount Olympus, and the brilliant action of an Australian unit which had been surrounded and which hacked its way through the Germans, killing 300 and taking 150 prisoners, has won for it universal admiration.

While the Germans have effected an advance toward the south, they have nowhere broken through the Allied defence line, which remains strong and intact.

In Albania operations are following their normal course. Italian attempts to take advantage of the orderly retirement of the Greek troops have resulted in ' several crushing blows being inflicted on the enemy by the Greeks who are fighting a successful rearguard action.

BITTER STRUGGLE

LONDON PRESS COMMENT EVENTS TAKING EXPECTED TURN London, Apl. 20. The Athens correspondent of “The Times” says that, despite the Allied retirement, the Greeks are not downhearted. The people of Athens staged a huge demonstration last night and cheered for victory. They nearly lynched two people caught spreading defeating talk. The bitterness of the struggle in Greece is generally commented upon by the weekly Press. The “Sunday Times” says: “Battles so intense and continuous as those which have raged in the Balkans ever since Hitler launched his attack just a fortnight ago allow of little description during their progress. We can still form no picture of the day-to-day movements, but enough is known to show that the Greeks, British, Australians, and New Zealanders have fought with the utmost determination. The German war machine had nowhere previously encountered more dogged and effective resistance and disproportionate losses have been inflicted on its advancing troops.

“But the struggle has been very unequal. Yugoslavia was caught still unready and collapsed. Her rapid defeat permitted the Germans to mass the whole of their strength against the Anglo-Greek front. The weight of the attack has grown from one day to another and it has now assumed gigantic proportions. “And here we may note a peculiarity which distinguishes the present from all previous wars. In rugged or fortified country where accesses are narrow it is impossible to throw more than a definite weight of ground troops against the nodal point and even artillery concentration has limits. But to air pressure there is no limit. This is what falsified the good doctrines of defensive warfare and made an end of ‘impregnable’ positions. “Much suffering and much hard work lie yet before us. We did not go into the Balkans expecting an easy time there. We knew too much of the German war machine for that. There will be a hard struggle before its menace comes to an end. But to h’-pak ; t we are determined, since freedom and civilisation cannot co-exist with it on the earth.”

The “Daily Mail” in a leading article says: “The events in Greece are taking the expected course. There were never any illusions about the probable outcome of the Greek operation. The Greeks have shown themselves worthy of all we can do for them. We are bound to them in honour.

BIG AIR BATTLE OVER ATHENS

FOURTEEN ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED BRITISH LOSE SEVEN A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “In Greece at least 16 enemy aircraft were shot down yesterday. R.A.F. fighters returning from patrol shot down in flames a Dorner 17. Over Athens a big air battle took place between a very large formation of German aircraft and our fighters, as a result of which 14 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Seven were Junkers 88’s, five Messerschmitts 100’s and 109’s, and there were two unidentified aircraft. One Messerschmitt was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. A considerable number of other German aircraft were severely damaged and probably did not reach their base. Seven of our aircraft failed to return, but it is known three pilots are safe. Troop columns on the

move were successfully attacked by our bombers. During Saturday night heavy bombers were used in a raid on Katarini aerodrome and a fire was caused which was seen 60 miles away.”

“BEATEN ARMY’’

CLAIM BY GERMANS (Rec. 12.25) London, Apl. 21. A German communique claims that troops continued the pursuit of the "beaten army” south of Larissa. An Italian communique refers to the Greeks’ tenacious resistance on the Albanian frontier and adds that all localities along the lonian coast were recaptured to the Greek border.

STIRRING APPEAL

GREEK PREMIER’S BROADCAST FIGHT TO BE CARRIED ON (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) Rugby, Apl. 21. M. Tsouderos, Premier of Greece, broadcasting to the Greek people said the government was going to carry on with the country’s fight. “Guided by the sense of duty which has imbued cur nation and by the great heritage handed down by past generations our first tribute should go to the dead, to those who in the mountains and plains of our beloved country laid down their lives. We are not going to allow our country, our church, our families to be enslaved by tyrants. From the dead we turn to the fighting soldiers who to-day are making history worthy of the great traditions of our forebears. The Greek nation has always been distinguished by its sense of collective order and social understanding. To-day it is fighting not only for its own freedom but for that of friendly nations and even some of the enemy nations. We shall perhaps go through dire times, but we will not give in. Greece will remain true to its treaties and agreements and will always remember the great British nation whose sons came to her soil of their free will to fight for our country. On the side of Britain stands the might of America carrying the torch of liberty beyond the ocean. With such allies and friends and the indomitable spirit and courage of our own people we are sure right will prevail. Greeks, take courage. Look at those who gave up halfway. We are not going to share their fate.”

WESTERN ASIA

FREE HAND FOR HITLER DEMANDS TO BE MADE ON TURKEY (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) London, Apl. 21. Germany plans within a fortnight to demand that Turkey renounce her alliance with Britain and give Hitler a free hand in Western Asia, says the “Daily Mail’s” Istanbul correspondent. Turkey will refuse the demands because they would be more than she can concede without loss of her honour. The German demands to be made explain Berlin’s announcement that Herr von Papen, German Ambassador, is now in Berlin and will not return to Turkey for a fortnight. Hitler apparently calculated that by that time the Greek resistance will have been broken. He intends that von Papen shall return to Turkey armed with a new German victory.

The Ankara radio is urging Turkish women to register for service under the Red Crescent. They are needed to be ready to bandage wounds of Turkish soldiers, said the announcer.

A.I.F. IN GREECE

INCREASING CONCERN SHOWN MOVE TO SUMMON”PARLIAMENT (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) Sydney, This Day. The “Herald” says increasing concern over the position of the A.I.F. in Greece prompted a number of members of the Federal Parliament to urge that Parliament should reassemble as soon as possible to enable members to hear Irom Ministers statements on recent war developments. Simultaneously a move is likely to be made to endow the Australian Advisory Council with emergency executive powers for the period of the present war crisis. If this proposal is adopted it would in the opinion of some observers provide a unified administration that is thought essential for the Commonwealth while facing the supreme crisis in its existence, and at the same time overcome Labour prejudices against a National Government.