ITALIANS MAKE WITHDRAWAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 7

ITALIANS MAKE WITHDRAWAL

May Be Planning New Attack

MOUNTAIN BATTLE More Details Of Fate Of

Routed Italians

LONDON, Nov. 12.

There are indications today that after their setback in the Pindus mountains in Greece, the Italian invaders are withdi awing on ceitain parts of the front, probably in preparation for a fresh attack. The latest Greek communique says that large numbers of Italian prisoners, including officers, and a considerable amount of equipment, are still being captured in the Pindus area. The Italian air force is continuing its bombing of many parts ol the front line and towns and villages in the interior. There has been some damage, but no military objectives have been hit. The Greek air force attacked port installations and shipping at Valona in Albania. An Anthens correspondent says that the Italians had advanced well into the Pindus area before they were checked iby advance Greek forces. The Italians were trying to reach Metzovo. If they had taken it, they would have been well on their way to the plains. According to this correspondent the first indication the Greeks had of the Italian advance occurred when light Greek patrols intercepted a supply train. Lightly armed Greek forces gave battle, but it was only after the Italians had been halted and surrounded that the Greeks realized how strong the enemy was. Their force consisted of 12,000 men who had been led over the frontier by Albanians who knew this mountainous region intimately. The remnants of this Italian spearhead, which tried to struggle back after the rout of the division, left villages strewn with arms and equipment of all kinds, some of which the Greeks used in harassing them as they fled. On the Greek left wing near the coast the Italians have been handicapped by the threat resulting from the Greek success in the Pindus area. On the Greek right wing, which extends into Albania, the weather has improved and the Italians are sending up reinforcements and heavy artillery to attack the Greek positions overlooking Koritza.