HEAVY ITALIAN ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 43, 14 November 1940, Page 9

HEAVY ITALIAN ATTACK

Greek Positions In Albania ENEMY AIR RAID CLAIMS LONDON, November 13. The Italians arc reported to have launched a heavy attack on the heights held by the Greeks near Koritza in 'Albania. In the Pindus at ea the Greeks arc holding their position and have captured a large quantity of war materials. An entire company of Albanians has surrendeied to the Greeks without resistance. . . . , , A Cairo communique confirms reports that Bntish bom eis tai the Albanian port of Valona on Monday night. Greek forces participated in the attack. . , Today’s Greek communique reports the Italian bombing ot v villages, the machine-gunning of civilians, and hand-grenade attacks on them. (Received November 13, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, November 1~. The Associated Press of America’s Rome correspondent says tnat more than 100 Italian planes participated in attacks against Greer, strongholds, specially in the triangular mountain sector between 1 loiina, Kastoria and Lake Presba. Dispatches claim that enormous losses have been inflicted on marching columns in various _ sectoi s. i Italian radio savs that improved weather has enabled intense stia e ? air raids to be made against the Greek positions. Italian planes despite fierce anti-aircraft fire, bombed heavy artillery positions from low altitudes in the Epirus sector and also machine-gunned and bombed columns of troops in Macedonia. i- , Greek military circles consider the escape of 4000 to 5000 Italian from the Pindus pocket a not unmixed evil, because they will return to their bases without weapons, ragged and semi-starved, with tales 01 the avalanches of rocks which the Greeks dynamited from the heignts above the ravines. Their panic is likely to shake the morale of Italian reinforcements, who will be further depressed when river waters bear through the Albanian valleys the bodies of hundreds of their comiades who are supposed to be making triumphant progress through Greece. The Greeks arc believed to have smashed a new offensive on die extreme right wing on the Koritza front, causing the retreat of an entire Italian division. The Italians are reported to have lost 12 officers. 630 men and quantities of equipment.