SNOW IMPEDES GREEKS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21836, 13 December 1940, Page 7

SNOW IMPEDES GREEKS

HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED Hundreds Perish From Cold By Tplegraoh—Press Association— Convright (Received December 12, 10 p.m.) LONDON, December 11. The Greek advance into Albania continues, but not so rapidly. There was only slight progress on the northern front where snow is falling. Northward of Argyrokastron it is uncertain whether the Greeks are in possession of Klisura, but they reached the Valley of Vojiuza a short distance westwp d of Klisura. They also cut a lateral road which follows the river valley and connects two almost parallel roads running north-westward to Valona and Durazzo. The threatening nature of the Greek advance in the Moscopolye region

suggests that a report of an Italian counter-attack thereabouts is correct, but if the Greeks, as previously stated, possess the chief heights, it will not be easy to dislodge them. There was an extremely heavy artillery engagement near Tepellena. The Greeks are reported to be shelling Tepellena from the village of Benca which they captured after a two hours’ battle in which there were heavy Italian casualties. The Italians are suffering severely from frostbite and prisoners report that hundreds of soldiers of the Alpine division perished from cold. The snowfall is now general throughout Albania, being several feet deep in the mountains. Some villages are barely recognisable or distinguishable. The adverse conditions obviously are embarrassing the enemy who are endeavouring to drop food by parachutes to isolated units. A message from Struga (Yugoslavia) dated December 12 says that there was heavy fighting all day between Pogradetz and Moscopolye. The Italians continually counter-attacked In one sector near Moscopolye and forced the Greeks to relinquish some unimportant positions for better ground. The Greeks ambushed a column of Italian armoured motor cycles near Lin, 11 cycles being captured. The Swiss radio reported that Yugoslavia has asked all foreign correspondents to leave the Albanian-Greek frontier district of Yugoslavia. The Athens night communique, dated December 12, states: “Our advance continues in various directions in spite of violent enemy reaction. Much booty and many prisoners have fallen into our hands.” German General For Albania

Greek official circles, talking of the Greek steam-roller movement in Southern Albania, are confident that the Italians can do nothing to prevent the Greeks reaping the full benefits of the capture of Sranda, Delvon and Argyrokastron. Further north, impetus has been given to the Greek advance by the capture of Korea and other points. Admittedly, they have come to the end of the veil of secrecy drawn over the operations, while much spade-work is being done in preparation for the next stage of the battle. A delayed message from Argyrokastron reveals that two Capronis and three Fiats were found in a wrecked aerodrome when the Greeks entered. The inhabitants say that the Italians experienced difficulties over supplies as a result of the bombing of Albanian ports. The Greek commander, in a speech from the balcony of the town hall, emphasised that the Greeks were fighting for liberty, not only of Greece, but also of Albania. He asked the inhabitants to resume their normal work while the Army continued Its job. The British United Press correspondent on the German frontier says that a German general, who took part in the campaign in Norway, is going to Italy to command operations in Albania.