LATEST CABLE NEWS KORITZA FALLS TO GREEKS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21819, 23 November 1940, Page 7

LATEST CABLE NEWS KORITZA FALLS TO GREEKS

Villages Burned by Retreating Italian Troops LONDON, November 21. GENERAL METAXAS (the Greek Prime Minu ister), announced from the steps of the Greek headquarters that Koritza had fallen. An Italian communique also admitted that Koritza, a key supply base, had fallen to the Greeks. The communique also admitted that losses were heavy, but claimed that Greek losses were equally heavy. The communique stated that two divisions which had been deployed on the offensive against the Greeks had been withdrawn after 11 days’ fighting on a line west of Koritza, which had now been evacuated. Italian reinforcements, it was stated, were taking up a new line. Later news from Athens states that advance Greek troops are marking time outside Koritza until the main forces arrive from the heights above the city.

A report from Corfu states that fires were seen and heavy explosions heard on the mainland throughout the night. It is thought possible that the retreating Italians blew up ammunition dumps. Other reports state that the Italians are burning villages behind them. They are also reported to have shot prominent citizens and taken others with them as hostages. The Royal Air Force is giving every assistance to the Greeks. So rapid was the advance of some of the Greek troops that supply lorries were unable to reach them, and supplies were dropped by British ’planes from the air. They also effectively bombed points and troops behind the Italian lines. The “Daily Mail” says that the Greek advance guard has entered Koritza, from where the Italians are retreating hurriedly towards Pogradec from which General Soddu this morning ordered the advance of one mechanised and one heavy infantry division. Thus two Italian divisions are advancing while the garrison at Koritza is retreating over the same inadequate rough road. The Greek Air Force has not failed to profit from the opportunity to create even greater confusion. The Italian withdrawal from Koritza was at first indicated when Greek scouts spotted a long Italian column leaving the town. The Greeks to-day destroyed five and captured two Italian tanks near Koritza. The Italians are reported to be withdrawing from positions between Lake Ohridsko and Lake Presba. Three thousand Albanians are reported to be marching from

north Albania to assist the Greeks on the Koritza front. Advancing Greek armies are using Italian war material captured by the British in the Western Desert in Egypt.