GREEKS PUSH PAST KORITZA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21820, 25 November 1940, Page 5

GREEKS PUSH PAST KORITZA

Italians In Danger In Pindus Sector Ever-Increasing Booty Clutters Roads United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 24, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. AN Athens communique states: The Greeks are pursuing the Italians northward from Koritza in Italian tanks, which were captured from the reinforcements sent to relieve Koritza. The dispersal of Italians from the Ivan heights gives the Greeks command of the whole of south-eastern Albania to a minimum depth of five miles from the frontier. Four batteries of mountain guns and 10 machine-gun nests were captured on Mount Ivan. Reports from the Pindus sector indicate that a Greek column driving through the mountain valleys has cut the Italian Army in half. The Greeks are reported to be 10 miles from Pogradec. Five hundred Albanian rebels are reported to have ambushed an Italian detachment of 15 motor vehicles on the Argyrokastron Road, killing four officers, 35 soldiers and wounding 60. The Government spokesman said: “ The prisoners taken have not yet been counted, but there is so much booty that it is cluttering the roads and impeding our advance.”

The Greek movements in the southern and central sectors are apparently going according to plan, namely, (1) a drive along the coast, harassing the Italians retreating to Saranda; (2) a drive turning off left by Permeti to encompass Argyrokastron from the north-east; (3) a push in the direction of Tepelena which is the junction of the roads from Vlona to Argyrokastron and Konitza, also a military base. The Italians in the Korea sector are mainly engaged In hasty retirement and attempts to reform but have established strong points on the heights west and northwest. They are also blowing up bridges in an attempt to halt the Greek advance along the Devoli river and northward to Pogradec. The Italians speak confidently of reinforcements rushing to the front but there is no sign that they have yet been able to reform their lines. The Greeks seem to have advanced at last 12 miles northward from Morce. British and Greek ’planes are continually bombing the retreating divisions and would -be supports, and Albanian guerillas are increasingly joining in the strafing. Capture of War Material The capture of considerable war material is announced in a Greek communique which gives the following details: 88 heavy and light machineguns, 26 tanks, more than 250 cars, more than 1500 motor cycles and bicycles, 55 anti-tank guns, 300 machineguns and a considerable quantity of 'explosives and material of all sorts. Dealing with the situation on the battle-front the communique states: "The army succeeded in occupying the whole of Morava Mountain, Mount Ivan and Kafe Karlt. In Epirus the army reoccupied the town of Filiates and pushed back the enemy across the frontier. The Greek Air Force bombed the retreating enemy with great success in spite of an active reaction by the enemy air force. During the battle of Koritza, which lasted for nine days, and in spite of a strong reaction from the enemy air force, the Greek army won a brilliant victory over superior enemy forces installed in positions fortified by nature and at several points with means of resistance such as reinforced concrete and barbed wire.” The communique contains a list of Italian units defending Koritza, which Included Alpini and Bersagllerl. An official communique issued in Athens stated: In all villages from which the Italians fled there is a scene of devastation and pillage. The picture presented by the liberated villages is a dreadful one. Everywhere the Italians left marks of savagery and barbarism. The Italians took a number of hostages. Greek Enthusiasm : An official Greek communique states: "Our heroic troops, after a hard struggle, on Friday entered Koritza in triumph. The advance of our troops continues everywhere." With bands playing, flags waving, and residents of the town strewing flowers in their path, the main Greek forces entered Koritza in the afternoon. Patriotic flags which had remained hidden were unearthed, and flaunted in the breeze. On the whole 150-mlle front, the Greeks have pushed forward irresistibly. Mussolini himself admits the reverse, and an Italian communique tells of the evacuation of the town with considerable losses. The Italians are reported to be rushing troops to Albania to try to stem the tide, and regain their precious supply base. Rome radio declared that Italy would plough its way through Greece “once It got started.” Admitting the defeat at Koritza, the announcer went on to minimise the loss, saying that the base was really unimportant, and that the forces holding it were only covering troops. The Italian command did not intend any major operation in this area. Athens went mad with joy when the people learned the news in a proclamation by the Prime Minister (General Metaxas), based on the Greek official communique. Amidst scenes of wildest enthusiasm, British soldiers were carried shoulder-high through the streets. A special victory postage stamp will be issued. R.A.F. Aids in Success New tactics adopted by British and Greek aeroplanes are believed to have played an important part in the Greek success. A supply train and mechanised units were captured by this means, and much of the booty was taken intact. ” Opinion in London is that the fall of Koritza means a serious hampering of Italian operations on the whole front. A note of caution is sounded, however, it being pointed out that while the Italians are in flight they are not routed. Official sources in Turkey hall the Greek victory at Koritza with delight. . Italy now realises the perils of a long . .war, declares one authority. Musso- . linl’s admission that it might take 12 months to defeat the Greeks was ’ ’ encouraging both to the Greeks and o ”to other nations which lived in the <ehadow of the Roman Empire. m „ British bombers, with Greek aid,

have continued their raids on Italian supply bases and aerodromes in Albania. The British Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair), in a telegram of congratulation to the Royal Air Force fighter squadron in Greece on its recent smashing successes against Italian aircraft over Albania, states: “Congratulations to the squadron on the speed with which it got into action and on its most encouraging fighting.” The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, has telegraphed as follows: “We are all delighted at the splendid success of the squadron in its first action in Greece. Heartiest congratulations.” Duce’s Regiments Routed It is learned that a complete Italian battalion and much material were captured in the Koritza operations. The routed Italians on the centre front included the Second and Fifth Regiments of Bersaglieri, of which Mussolini is honorary Colonel-in-Chief. It is emphasised that the Italian defeat has not yet become a rout, and reports that the Greeks mlgh completely overwhelm the Italians if they suceed in cutting off the troops on the southern coast, should be taken with reserve. A Rome communique states Italian troops in Greece are regularly executing a prearranged movement for assuming new positions. The Air Force bombed numerous objectives, especially in the Koritza sector, and directly hit road

junctions and concentrations of troops. All the 'planes returned. Enemy air raids in the Gulf of Boma caused some damage. Raids on Bardia and Herna had no results. We bombed the aerodrome at Roselres, Port Sudan, and an enemy position beyond Gallabat, causing a violent fire. Our ’planes brought down two of five Glosters which attacked them. The enemy bombed Kassala, setting fire to field hospitals. An Athens communique says: Our advance continues all along the front with ever-increasing booty. The weather prevented aerial activity. Enemy ’planes bombed a town in the interior without doing damage. Enemy ships later In the afternoon raided and shelled Samos fruitlessly. An Italian seaplane bombed Corfu. There were no casualties.