SPEEDY GREEK ADVANCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21818, 22 November 1940, Page 5

SPEEDY GREEK ADVANCE

May Split Italian Forces Parts Of Koritza In Flames United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 21, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. REPORTS from the front received in Athens declare that the Greeks reached the Italian defence lines inside Albania as a result of a new Greek advance on a wide front, in which aerial co-operation was an important factor. The advance threatens to split the Italian forces, isolating the defenders of Koritza from the troops based on Argyrokastron in the coastal sector. Greek fighter patrols reported that they found it difficult to make contact with Italian ’planes to-day after yesterday’s drubbing by the Royal Air Force. After three days’ fierce fighting for possession of Koritza the Italian and Greek positions about that town are substantially the same. The Italians stoutly resisted the Greek bayonet charges against the Italian positions on Morava heights and Gvezda, and then counter-attacked. Both sides claim prisoners. The Greeks also claimed the capture of 10 armoured cars. Artillery exchanges between batteries established on the heights in the vicinity of Koritza are a feature of the fighting on the northern front. Italian army lorries, presumably carrying supplies, were observed leaving Koritza as Greek artillery and British ’planes pounded the town, parts of which are blazing. The main street is impassable. The retreating Italians in the Epirus sector are reported to have reached Kahova, a village in the region of Sagiada Bay, and are continuing the withdrawal in the direction of Malcani, near Konispolis.

A Greek division based on Janina, was responsible for the new advance, which is in the region of the Aoos river in the Epirus sector. The Greek advance guard is reported to be 20 miles from Tepelena, which is an important communication centre. An immense quantity of war material including transport vehicles and guns was captured. A heavy artillery preparation assisted the advance. A Greek Government spokesman declared that the Italian front was apparently broken just westward of the central sector. The Greek troops were advancing very fast. The Italians had disarmed a battalion of rebellious Albanians.

The Athens radio says that the Italian forces in Greece attempted to attack the Greeks from the rear by traversing Yugoslav territory. Yugoslavia prevented the movement by interning the Italian troops concerned and also seized 130 tanks, 1400 light machine guns and 400 heavy machine guns. The Ankara radio stated that Albanians dressed in the uniform of King Zog’s army, appeared in the rear of the Italians at Pogradec and blew up the Italian petrol tanks. Six hundred Italian prisoners arrived at Athens to-day. Prince Paul is believed to be at headquarters on the northern front.