FEAT OF ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23830, 4 December 1940, Page 9

FEAT OF ARMS

GREEKS TRIUMPHANT OPERATIONS REVIEWED GREAT COTTNTER-ATTA('K By Teleprnph—Press .Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Dec. The Greek-Italian war has been raging a month. Reviewing events in the campaign, authoritative military commentators point out as its most striking feature the fact that the war which began with unprovoked invasion now becomes an effective counter-attack, carried out in Albania. Even on the coastal sector there are now no Italian troops in Greece other than prisoners. Originally the Greek plan must have been purely defensive, with the object of protecting Salonika, and the fact that in the northern sector the Greek counter-offensive has been most effective testifies to the brilliance of Greek generalship. Informed military commentators emphasise the importance of the capture of Korea. The Italian offensive was pressed forward less thoroughly in the northern sector than elsewhere. Military circles'discount stories that the Italians lack fighting power. The fact that prisoners have been captured by the hundred, not by the thousand, up to the present, is considered to indicate that the retreat, although rapid, never became a rout, and the comment is made that it is only when the Italians are surrounded that they surrender. On the other hand, it is considered that Italian troops have been sacrificed to political needs, and "let down" by bad organisation and planning. The Greeks have turned this to very good account, and the conduct of the Greek Army, which has had to fight every hit of the way, has been distinguished by tlx brilliance of its High Command, and the skill, determination, courage and power of the ranks.

GERMAN SHIPYARDS BRITISH AIR ATTACK LARGE FIRE CAUSED (Received December 3, p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Dec. « The Air Ministry news service says that on Sunday night a small force of British heavy bombers, in spite of very unfavourable weather, visited the Marinewerf't at Wilhohnshaven, one of Germany's most important shipbuilding yards. The Marinewerf't is beside a large basin from which a canal leads to the sea. Warships of all kinds are built there, and there are six dry docks in which submarines are being constructed. A shower of incendiary bombs caused a large fire to spread well within the limit of the shipbuilding yards. GERMANS IN RUMANIA FOUR MORE DIVISIONS PARADE IN BUCHAREST LONDON, Dec. 2 According to reports from the frontier four fresh German divisions are entering Rumania through Hungary, while anarchy is increasing throughout Rumania. it is reported from Bucharest that a German motorised division paraded in the streets of the capital with King Michael at the rear of the parade. Over 50 German aeroplanes flew over the grandstand where German generals surrounded the Prime Minister, General Antonescu. The crowds silently watched the Germans, and lustily cheered King Michael. BARRAGE BALLOON DAMAGE IN PORTUGAL (Received December H. 50 p.m.) LISBON, Dee. !> Firemen at Alirnndella captured: a balloon which is believed, to have escaped from a* British barrage. For two days it trailed 700 yards of cable over the Portuguese countryside, damaging telegraph and telephone lines.