CIVIL WAR IN GREECE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 11

CIVIL WAR IN GREECE

government troops •ADVANCE LITTLE RESISTANCE FROM REBELS barracks bombed by AEROPLANES (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) ATHENS, March 10. General Condylis's "decisive offensive" in Macedonia began at 6 a.m. with a vast semi-circular troop movement, artillery and aircraft combining. The Government advance across the River Struma met with little resistance, the rebels withdrawing with few casualties to await attack on the mountain strongholds. General Condylis's almost bloodless victory involved a costly and futile expenditure of ammunition. At the start of the battle the Government and rebel armies were entrenched on opposite sides of the swollen Struma, using trenches first made by the Bulgarians in the Balkan War of 1912. A four-hour artillery bombardment of the rebel trenches took place last night and the attack began at dawn in Greek territory near Kulata, which was entirely held by the rebels whom the frontier guards, who were loyal to the Government till Wednesday, have now joined. The capture of Serres is expected before nightfall. Many rebels are reported to have thrown down their rifles and fled before the Government troops as they crossed the river. The Government fleet bombarded the rebel cruiser Helle at Cavalla, but ceased after an tiour, fearing they might damage the town. Government aeroplanes dropped 12 5GOlb bombs on the Rethymo barracks on March 10. and the pilots assert that the barracks were destroyed and many men killed. M. Vcnizelos threatens reprisals in Crete if Venizelists in Athens are ill-treated. SERES OCCUPIED CRI/ISER SURRENDERED BY REBELS (Received March 12, 1.5 a.m.) ATHENS, March 11. An official report states that the rebel cruiser Helle has been surrendered by the crew after the officers had abandoned her. During the night the Government troops occupied Seres, and the rebels are fleeing. It is reported that Rear-Admiral Colialexis, commander of the rebel cruiser Averoff, disguised as an ordinary seaman, has arrived at Alexandria aboard the small cargo steamer Kerkyra, from Crete. General Condylis, in an early dispatch, reported that his forces were unable to take Seres on Sunday. Just before nightfall he met strong resistance seven miles from Seres. General Condylis adds that he has taken 200 prisoners and five guns. His losses were two dead and four wounded. He intends to take Seres on Monday morning, and then push on to Kavalla. MINISTERS LIBERATED LONDON, March 10. The Athens correspondent of "The Times" says five Venizelist deputies and former Ministers were liberated after repudiating the revolution. I'LASTIRAS RETURNS TO CANNES MILAN, March 10. General Plastiras has returned to Cannes. ITALIAN WARSHIPS SAIL ROME, March 10. The cruiser Trento and the destroyers Cadamosta and Pigafetta have sailed for .ffigean waters. Air mails to Greece and Turkey have been suspended.