PRESSURE OF GREEK ADVANCE IN ALBANIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 5

PRESSURE OF GREEK ADVANCE IN ALBANIA

Italians Attempting to Establish New Line LANDING MADE BEHIND ENEMY FRONT IN EPIRUS ROYAL AIR FORCE SMASHES COLUMNS IN POGRADEC AREA Further news is given in a 8.8. C. broadcast of the military position in Albania and the extent of the Italian retreat. It is now known that the attempt of the Italians to make a stand at Pogradec, 20 miles north of Koritza, was smashed by the Royal Air Force. British planes bombed and dispersed Italian reinforcements which were being brought up shortly after the occupation of the town by the Greeks. Further west, the Greeks are advancing in the mountain region, where the Italians are attempting to establish a fresh line of resistance. In Epirus, the Greeks are meeting with more resistance than on other parts of the front, but have dealt with the position by landing troops on the coast. These forces have got behind the Italians, cutting their communications. The Italians are engaged in a desperate effort so tar to restore the situation as to make a humiliating appeal.to Germany unnecessary. All available reinforcements are being sent to Albania. , There is no definite information as to whether the Gieexs have captured Argyrokastron, but it is probable that the Italians have had to evacuate the airport at that place on account of its being under artillery fire. Thus the Italians probably have lost the last of their advanced air bases. No Italian air attacks on military objectives in Greece have been reported, but in four places civilians have been attacked and there have been some casualties, including women and children. More particulars are reported of the Italian resort to frightfulness in the wanton burning of villages and in killingpeople and taking hostages.