HEAVY LOSSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 5

HEAVY LOSSES

GREEK GUERRILLAS FIERCE BATTLE RAGING REBELS USE HEAVY MORTARS Rec. 7.30 p.m.. ATHENS, Aug. 17. A fierce battle is raging between Greek regular forces and 300 guerrillas on Mount Helcion, 37 miles north-west of Athens. Guerrillas captured a township on the northern slopes. The regular forces later repulsed them. The Greek News Agency announced that guerrillas captured 14 workmen of the Greek State railways working on the line between Edessa and Fiorina. The Greek Army repulsed with heavy losses the guerrillas trying to seize the heights overlooking Kerassavo and Konitza. Gendarmes and armed peasants repulsed another guerrilla attack dn two villages near the Yugoslav frontier in the Fiorina region after the guerrillas had fired 22 houses and carried off a civilian. Guerrillas unleased widespread attacks in the northern mountains on the heels of the rebel Government proclamation that they were using heavy mortars in the Salonika area. These powerful weapons are not included in Greek Army equipment. There are widespread reports of the burning of houses —20 in the village of Oine. south-west of Kastoria, where three villagers were killed. A Greek division came in contact with a strong guerrilla' force north of Janina. and inflicted heavy losses.