GREEK LINES STORMED

Southland Times, Issue 24355, 8 February 1941, Page 7

GREEK LINES STORMED

Italians Beaten Back (British Official Wireless) (Received February 7, 10 p.m.) RUGBY, February 6 Desperately attempting to break the Greek lines, the Italians launched violent counter-attacks in the central sector, but suffered a disastrous defeat, according to the Greek Press Ministry. The Italians lost several tanks and four armoured cars. The attackers, who were numerous, were driven back beyond their starting point, where the Greeks are now firmly established. The Greeks have made some headway in the coastal sector, but bad weather is hampering the advance. Greek artillery is hammering the Italians in the northern, sector. An official spokesman in Athens commenting on Tuesday’s fighting is reported as saying that the Greeks had forced the Italians to abandon , a strategically important position despite desperate defence. Hand-to-hand fighting took place in one village, the Greeks finally chasing out the Italians at the bayonet point in one of the most brilliantly fought actions of the Greeks since the war began. A munitions dump in a village stocked with live shells and other ammunition is now in Greek hands. In the coastal sector and on the front stretching away northwards the Italians staged two counter-attacks I with the support of artillery, machineguns and mortars. ”oth were repulsed and the attackers were forced to retire in disorder, abandoning their dead and wounded.