MAIN ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN GREECE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1940, Page 5

MAIN ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN GREECE

According to London Observers DEFENDERS GAIN FURTHER LOCAL SUCCESSES USE OF BRITISH ANTI-TANK RIFLES It is considered in London, a 8.8. C. broadcast states, that the main Italian offensive in Greece has not yet developed. The Greeks continue to win local successes at a number of points, but it is not thought that they have felt the enemy’s; full weight yet. The Greeks report further fighting at the point where the frontiers of Greece, Yugoslavia and Albania meet. A report which has given satisfaction in London is that the nine tanks destroyed by the Greeks on the Epirus front were knocked out by British anti-tank riflles. The rapid transport of these weapons to Greece in the opening days of the war is regarded as a very smart piece of work. The Greeks at the northern end of their front have occupied further heights and taken prisoners and material. The Greeks report that Italians withdrawing in this area were attacked by their own tanks. Captures of men and material on the Epirus front have also been made by the Greeks. On the Kalamas River, which runs into the sea opposite Corfu, about ten miles inside the . Greek frontier, the Italian offensive has not yet developed. The Italians report having bombed Janina, Florina and Greek naval bases. The raid on Florina is reported to have been particularly heavy. The Greeks state that six out of 20 Italian bombers which raided Salonika on Tuesday were shot down. In response to a request from Greece, the British Government has assured the Greek Government of its readiness to provide such assistance as may be required by Greece in the sterling area and has at once placed a sum of £5,000,000 at the disposal of the Greek Government as an advance.