GREEK TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1940, Page 5

GREEK TROOPS

ORDERED TO HOLD FRONT LINES AND NOT TO FOLLOW UP LOCAL SUCCESSES. NAZI ATTITUDE DECLARED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 31. The Italians again bombed Patras and also Navtaktos, on the Gulf of Corinth. Nine persons were killed and two buildings destroyed. Fifty Italian war prisoners have arrived at Salonika. The Greek High Command has ordered front line positions to be held at all costs. The troops are ordered not to attempt to follow up local successes. The Italians on one sector were caught in a trap of machine-gun nests, which mowed them down, upon which the local commander, taking advantage of the rout, pursued the enemy into Albania. There have been no air raids on Salonika. Fifty coasters lie immobilised in the harbour. Italian residents have been rounded up. Five hundred Germans are still free. The United Press Berlin correspondent says well-informed circles are confident that the Italian-Greek conflict will be localised and are convinced that Turkey will not be involved if Bulgaria remains neutral. The Berlin radio gave out the following from Wilhelmstrasse circles: “Germany’s relations with third Powers will always depend on the tatters’ attitude towards Italy. Various offeial Italian statements have proved the unilateral favour granted by Greece to Britain and the Italian reaction is therefore but part of the common struggle against Britain.” ENEMY LANDINGS PREVENTED BY BRITISH ? NAVY. ACCORDING TO SOVIET PAPER. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) MOSCOW, October 31. The “Red Star” states that the British Navy has prevented Italian landings at Crete and Corfu. DASTARDLY ATTACK DENOUNCED BY GREEK , AMBASSADOR. ITALY’S FOUL TACTICS. - (British Official Wireless.) ’ RUGBY, October 30. • ! Replying to the toast of “Greece Immortal,” proposed by Lord Nathan at a luncheon in London i ! today, the Greek Minister, M. Sim- - opoulos, received an ovation. Greece, he said, had been the victim of a dastardly attack without the very slightest provocation. ! The whole world knew there was no truth whatsoever in the Italian accusations that Greece had been fomenting troubles in Albania and violating neutrality. “This attempt to find an excuse ren- ' ders the aggression the more disgraceful,” his Excellency said. Referring to the method of presenting the demands, the Minister said: “The Italian Note was presented at three o’clock in the darkness of night. They were afraid of daylight for such an action. “Our long history has been a constant fight for liberty. We have known evils, but we have survived, and will survive. My country is now at war with Italy, a so-called Great Power. We are fully aware of the ordeals that await us. We will hear them with patience and dignity. With God’s help we are adding a page of history. So is { < Italy. But we do not envy them this! , adventure.” i 1