ITALIANS ON THE RUN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24460, 20 November 1940, Page 8

ITALIANS ON THE RUN

Late News

$ —' —' — FALL OF KORITZA REPORTED A RING OF GREEK STEEL (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright 1 LONDON, Nov. 19. (Received Nov. 20, at 2 a.m.) It is reported without confirmation from the frontier that the Greeks took Koritza in the early hours. - The amount of war material seized is not specified. A later message states that the Italians were exposed to a withering artillery fire as they retreated from Koritza along the only road open to them. A ring of Greek steel invested them on two sides, ensuring the downfall of the base from which Signor Mussolini expected to sweep to Salonika. An Athens message. states that large cheering crowds poured into the streets to welcome the first batch of wounded from the Koritza front. They consisted of about 300 men, most of whom were suffering from bullet and grenade wounds. Buses were converted into ambulances to carry the soldiers from the railway station to hospital. One hundred Italian wounded arrived by the same train and were taken to hospital after the crowds had been dispersed to avoid demonstrations. The latest Greek communique to reach London reports fresh successes after heavy fighting on both wings of the front. In {he Epirus sector and east of Koritza counter-attacks were repulsed and new positions were occupied in the face of obstinate defence by the enemy. The Italians have been pushed back north of the Kalamas River, and the Greek forces raided deep into enemy territory. Strong forces of Italian planes bombed Greek positions, and seven bombers and two fighters were shot down. Two of the Greek machines have not returned. Greek planes attacked Argyrokastron and also bombed Italian columns on the march. Bombers of the Royal Air Force again raided Italian bases.