SITUATION SAVED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 7

SITUATION SAVED

History Of Early Greek Efforts WOMEN AND CHILDREN CARRY SUPPLIES (Received November 14, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, November 13. It is semi-officially stated in Athens that when the Italians invaded Greece tliev were confronted by only the Greek Eighth Division, which bad not been reinforced. The Greeks, facing such formidable forces, withdrew, allowing the Italians to climb the wooded northern slopes of the Bindus Mountains. Before mobilization was completed the Greek High Command ordered contingents to rush up to the nearest front without supply services. Meanwhile another voluntary mobilization occurred when the women of Epirus, also old men and children, took over the supply services, harnessed tliemseltes to guns, carried shells on their shoulders up the mountain slope, and transported rilles, blankets, bread and ammunition. The patriotism of these people did in a few hours what well-organized services in the rear could not have done amid the snows, trees and rocks of the Pindus range. Finally the Greek troops, also villagers armed with stones, were ready for a fierce counterattack against the Italians, who retreated in disorder but sacked the villages through which they passeth A communique issued bi’ the Greek Ministry of Public Security states that the enemy made an air raid on a village in Epirus which is of no military importance. There were a few civilian casualties. They also bombed a straggling village in West Macedonia. A High Command communique says: "The number of Italians captured in the Pindus region is continually increasing. A number of i.tiln. guns and mortars, machine-guns, and other materials have fallen into Greek hands. We also captured two Hags. The enemy abandoned 150 wounded at various points. So far our soldiers have been generous in their care of them. Reoccupied villages were found to have been completely pillaged. Enemy planes bombed several villages. Very few wounded are reported.” An Albanian Minister made a broadcast urging the Albanians to unite with the Greeks against the common aggressor.