BITTER FIGHTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23828, 2 December 1940, Page 7

BITTER FIGHTING

ITALIAN REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE PREPARING DEFENCE LINE MUSSOLINI'S HOPE OF TURNING TIDE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright December 1, 11.flu p.m.) LONDON*. Dec. 1 After fierce fighting the Greeks have captured Pogradec, the important strategic Albanian town 20 miles north of Korea. An official Greek spokesman said a bitter struggle occurred because the Italians had fortified the town. At one point the Greeks had to storm a mountain of nearly 6000 ft., but they took it at the point of the bayonet. Among the large quantity of materials captured from the enemy were six heavy guns, 50 machine-guns and a number of howitzers. Fifteen Italian officers and over 200 men were taken prisoner. The Greek spokesman said the victory at Pogradec would facilitate future operations. News from the whole front, he said, was good. Important advances in the southern sector would prove very valuable to the Greeks. The Greek High Command communique states that Greek offensive activity continued throughout the day. After fierce fighting the troops gained ground to a considerable depth. Reports from Albania yesterday indicated a pause in the :rapid advance while the Greeks were mopping-up local Italian forces. The Italians are doing their utmost to bring up reinfoicements, the first of which have already considerably stiffened the resistance, and there has been heavy fighting in the central sector, the Greeks repelling Italian counter-attacks by bayonet charges. The Greeks, after a bitter attack in this region, captured important heights which previously were a serious obstacle to their advance. The Greeks west of Korea have advanced to a point 20 miles west of Moskopoli. The Italians are retiring toward Elbasan, where a second line of defence is being prepared. The Italians west and north of Pogradec are also apparently aiming to base their next ■resistance on Elbasan. The Greeks' southern advance continues methodically. Eleven Italian transports are reported to have arrived at IDurazzo, and troops were hastily disembarked and hurried to the front. Mussolini has appointed General Alfredo Guzzoni assistantMinister of War as part of a big reshuffle in the hope of turning the tide by a counter-offensive.