AGAINST ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1940, Page 5

AGAINST ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Mountain Positions Held Along Frontier ASSURANCE OF IMMEDIATE BRITISH AID NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN TURKEY The Greek troops are reported to be holding their own in their mountain positions along the frontier, a 8.8. C. broadcast states. There is no sign that the Italian offensive met with any greater success on its second day than on the previous day. An Italian report suggested that things were not going so well as might have been expected. It contained a reference to adverse weather. The main Italian attack is directed against the northwest corner of Greece, where that country, Yugoslavia and Albania meet. - It is stated in London that it is most improbable that any action has yet taken place between British and Italian naval forces. The landing of British forces on Corfu is also denied. Some misleading reports, it is believed, are being circulated by the enemy. An official announcement was made in London yesterday that Britain had promised Greece military assistance in the fullest sense of the term. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, said he could assure “our friends in Greece and also in America’’ that assistance would be rendered quickly. He added that it had already begun. Mr Alexander said the Royal Navy had done magnificent work in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea during the last few months. Many Italian submarines had been destroyed and also cruisers and destroyers. Turkey has not yet made any official announcement regarding the latest act of aggression by the Axis. It is stated unofficially in Ankara that Turkey’s attitude will be one of non-belligerency. Greece has not yet asked Turkey for help. Greeks in every country are rallying to the colours. Those who cannot join the Greek Army are joining the British Army. Immediate steps are being taken to ensure that the Greek merchant navy—one of the country’s most important assets—shall not fall into the hands of the Axis. The Greek Navy, which is small but efficient, will be able usefully to assist the British Navy. There is no sign of any Italian movement in North Africa. The various fronts are reported quiet. The Admiralty reports that naval aircraft carried out a successful attack on the capital of the Dodecanese Islands. Considerable damage was done to barracks and an aerodrome and all the British machines returned safely. The Greeks have released twenty British airmen who had been interned in Greece. The airmen were carried shoulder high through the streets.