ATTACK PRESSED VIGOROUSLY BY GREEKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1940, Page 5

ATTACK PRESSED VIGOROUSLY BY GREEKS

In Spite of Desperate Efforts by Italians ENEMY USING FULL WEIGHT OF AIR FORCE FIGHTING IN THE EPIRUS SECTOR The latest reports from Athens, a 8.8. C. broadcast states, indicate that the Italians are making desperate efforts to hold Koritza. Wave after wave of Italian infantry has been launched in attacks and planes are dive-bombing, but in spite of this the Greek positions were advanced further. Greek planes have bombed Italian positions behind the lines and artillery is shelling all the roads leading to Koritza, with a view to harassing Italian movements and preventing reinforcements from arriving. According to information that reached military circles in London yesterday, the Greeks, after their advances of the last few days, are optimistic about their chances of reaching the Italian base at Koritza. It is pointed out that the capture of this place by the Greeks would put an end to any danger of an Italian drive to Salonika. It is thought, therefore, that the Italians will make every effort to defend Koritza and to regain the place if they lose it. Koritza has a population of about 25,000 and is the largest town in Southern Albania. Using it as a base, the Italians have assembled large supplies of material. A hospital has been established and a good water-supply provided by pipe-line. Work was started some time ago on a military aerodrome and this may now be completed. Although roads run inland from Koritza to Elbasan and other towns, it could not be assumed that the capture of Koritza would open the way to an easy advance by the Greeks into Albania. A Greek communique yesterday morning stated that the main fighting was taking place in Epirus and in the mountainous region east of Koritza. Prisoners, guns and war materials of all kinds have been captured from the Italians. The Italians are now using the full weight of their air force in an attempt to arrest the Greek columns. This has slowed down the progress of the Greeks in Epirus, but has been of little effect in the mountain regions. Enemy air raids on hamlets and villages in the interior of Greece are reported and yesterday an air attack was made on Corfu. Greek destroyers have been searching for Italian warships with as little success as British naval squadrons. A Greek flotilla cruised in the Straits of Otranto, but met no part of the Italian fleet. A message from Yugoslavia reports an air battle between 12 British and Greek fighters and 50 Italian bombers. Two Italian planes were reported to have been shot down. Athens had two air raid warnings yesterday morning.