GREEK PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1940, Page 6

GREEK PROGRESS

MORE CAPTURES OF MEN & GUNS an official report. RETREATING ENEMY COLUMNS BOMBED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright i (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, November 25. It is officially announced in Athens that the Greeks have occupied Pogradec. A Greek communique says: “Our troops have occupied Moscopolye. We captured 1,500 prisoners in the Koritza region, also twelve field guns and a number of trench mortars. Our planes bombed the retreating Italian columns.”

ITALIAN REPORT (Received This Day, Noon). LONDON, November 25. An Italian communique says: "Enemy planes raided Durazzo. The enemy also bombed Tobruk and Bardia. Slight damage was done and some persons were wounded.” HEARTY WELCOME GIVEN TO BRITISH TROOPS. WORK OF R.A.F. PRAISED. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) RUGBY, November 25. A tumultuous welcome accorded the first British troops to land on the mainland of Greece is described in despatches in the British Press from correspondents. The disembarkation of men, supplies and equipment wgs speedily completed, in the presence of General Dalbiac and Major-General Gamber Perry (British liaison officer). During his recent brief visit to Greece, Sir Arthur Longmore, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the Middle East, was received by King George of Greece and conferred with General Metaxas and General Papagos, Greek Commander-in-Chief. Satisfaction was expressed by Sir A. Longmore at the speed and efficiency with which British units had gone into action as well as with the successes so far achieved. The aircraft played an important part in co-operat-ing with the Greek land forces in the further push forward recorded in the last Greek communique.

RAID ON DURAZZO DIRECT HIT ON LARGE SHIP. ANOTHER VESSEL BURSTS INTO FLAMES. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, November 25. An R.A.F. Cairo communique states: “A further raid was carried out on Durazzo yesterday. The attack was directed at shipping, a harbour quay, jetties and harbour buildings. One direct hit was registered on a 10,000ton ship and another on a smaller ship, which immediately burst , into flames. Bombs fell on the quay close to another vessel. One heavy salvo fell 50 yards on the land side of a harbour jetty. Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered, but despite this the attack was pressed home. One British aircraft failed to return. A Cairo general headquarters communique states: “Our harassing operations in the area east of Gallabat continue. There is no change on other fronts.” NOT JOINING BULGARIA & THE AXIS PACT. REPORTED GERMAN STATEMENT. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) BERLIN, November 25. According to officials, Bulgaria is not expected to join the Axis pact. “Slovakia’s signature,” they state, “completes the series.”