CAPTURE OF 5000 ITALIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24300, 4 December 1940, Page 7

CAPTURE OF 5000 ITALIANS

General Retreat On Northern Front

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, December 2.

Tlie correspondent of the American Associated Press in Athens reports that the Greeks have captured 5000 Italians on the northern front. Their surrender is reported to have signalled a general retreat of the other Italian forces in the same area. This left a huge gap in the Italian centre.

The Greek military authorities forbid the mention of the spot at which the Italian line has been broken.

HEAVY SNOW AND GALE

The Telegraph Exchange Agency’s correspondent at Moscopolye says that heavy snow and a gale have slowed down the Greek advance, but the initiative is still in their hands. The latest victory has permitted the establishment of a new line in the extreme north. A Greek communique states that a considerable advance has been made all along the front. Positions of exceptional importance in the development of the operations have been captured. . I The capture of Pogradec is regarded by newspaper commentators as dealing a heavy blow at Italy’s strategic position and it may have far-reaching consequences. Pogradec lies at the southwestern end of Lake Ockrid, through which the frontier with Yugoslavia passes. Reports are current that retreating mechanized Italian units are proceeding alongside the lake north of this small town, while the infantry.is proceeding in a west-north-west direction. It is suggested that the Italians intend to take up a new position on a line east of Elbasan, 20 miles to the northwest. A Belgrade message says that reports from the frontier state that an Italian retreat is in progress in Central Albania, which is knee-deep in snow. The Italians are heavily attacking from the air, while the Greek cavalry are pushing on from Pogradec. ITALIAN ADMISSION A Rome message says that the Italian High Command admitted today that the Italian forces were on the defensive arid that the Greeks, despite counterattacks by the Italians, were continuing to attack. The Italians, it said, were resisting stubbornly. The Italians have completely abandoned their positions on parts of the front, in many instances without any attempt at serious resistance, according to other reports. Some of these positions are of the first strategic importance. The retreat in some places has become a disorderly rout. Among the troops thus defeated are some of the finest Italian regiments who distinguished themselves in Spain.

R.A.F. IS ACTIVE IN MIDDLE EAST

(Received December 3, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 2.’ A road in south-west Albania which is being used by the Italians to bring up reinforcements was successfully attacked by the Royal Air Force on Sunday and an important bridge was damaged. During a previous raid on Tepeleni military buildings were bombed and a number demolished.

In the Eastern Desert a large number of enemy aircraft aground at Benina was attacked. Two Italian bombers were destroyed and two others severely damaged. Enemy troops and motor transport on the Metemma-Gondar road, 10 miles west of Wahni, in Italian East Africa, were machinegunned and bombed by the Royal Air Force. Four direct hits were registered oh the motor transport and heavy casualties were observed as a result of the machine-gunning.

Further south a successful raid was carried out on a camp at Mubba, where a number of fires resulted from direct hits on barracks. A camp at Nagila, containing several battalions of colonial troops and Black Shirts, was attacked. Fires were started and much damage was done.

There were no Royal Air Force losses in any of these operations.