ITALIANS CALL UP REINFORCEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21866, 20 January 1941, Page 5

ITALIANS CALL UP REINFORCEMENTS

Air Offensive Believed

Imminent

More Greek Successes

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

(Received January 20, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 19.

Belgrade reports that the Italians are bringing Up large reinforcements in all sectors in Albania With many ’planes released by the Germans from the Mediterranean. A concentrated Italian air attack seems to be imminent.

The Greeks have taken additional positions in the Moscopolye area. The situation is unchanged elsewhere. The Greek Ministry of Marine says that the submarine Proteus sank the enemy transport Sardegna in a strotigly protected convoy. The Proteus has not returned. A substantial Greek success is announced in the following Athens Communique: In the course of to-day’s operations, which were to our advantage, we occupied points in fortified territory and captured 1000 prisoners, including a number of officers and Colonel Meneghetti, who commands the Seventieth Regiment of the Seventieth Division, the “Wolves of Tuscany.” A press message states that prisoners were captured durihg operatiofis on the northern front. Athens newspapers estimate that the Italian losses in Albania are 70,000 including killed, wounded, those taken prisoner and repatriated owing to illness. This is one-third of Italy’s forces in Albania at the outbreak of the war. The Greeks have made new gains ffi the Tepeleni area also in the region beyond Klisura, but the advances ate local owing to the severe weather restricting large scale operations. The Italians are moving supplies from the Klisura region presumably as a precaution against a repetition of large losses. Italian counter-attacks were repelled With “terrific losses.” A Greek patrol captured an entire Italian patrol of equal strength. “The Wolves of TuScany” recently disembarked in Albania. The Athens radio states that “Wolves of Tuscany” prisoners admitted that Greek torpedoes sank the big Italian liners Lombardi and Liguri, which ■ Were carrying troops across the Adriatic. The correspondent of “The Times” on the Italian frontier says Mussolini in an effort to close up the breaches between the Fascists and (he army, made daily conciliatory visits for four days to those wounded from Albania in the Appulia region. Prince Umberto’s promotion to the rank of General is similarly, an effort to close the differences between the Fascists and the Royal family, which are reputed to be bitterly hostile to Fascism. Diplomatic circles believe that the promotion of Prince Umberto Is an attempt to kill rumours that the Royal family is awaiting the first opportunity to overthrow the Fascist regime.