ITALIAN LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN LOSSES

FOUR DIVISIONS CUT UP OR DESTROYED SINCE FIGHTING BEGAN. ARMOURED FORCE DISLOCATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, November 25. The Greek night communique says: “Our troops are continuing the advance and have occupied some now positions.’’ It is estimated that four Italian divisions have been cut up or destroyed on tho Albanian front since the outbreak of the fighting. The single armoured division with which Italy began the invasion has been thoroughly dislocated. An official Greek statement that 8000 additional Italians have been captured •> helps to confirm unofficial dispatches that the Italian retreat is increasingly like a rout, though the precariousness of their situation varies according to the sectors. After leaving their strongly fortified positions on Mount Ostrovitse, the Italians are attempting to form a new line in the Tomor mountains for the protection of the Italian stronghold of Eerat. The Greeks have the utmost difficulty in keeping in touch with the fleeing enemy, many of whom have discarded their arms and are hiding in the mountains, where they are hunted cut by Greek detachments. One of the latest reports suggests that the Italians are even leaving Elbasan. It is reported from Salonika that the Greeks captured several hundred Italians and 200 lorries at Pogradec. The Italians are reported to have evacuated Argyrokastron yesterday. All the roads are littered with abandoned material, seriously disorganising the retirement. Rain is contributing to the misery of the Italians, whose mechanised forces have become bogged in the valleys and have also churned up the roads, many parts of which are.like swamps. Despite the weather, the British and Greek air forces continue to bomb Italians on the road between Pogradec and Elbasan and are also extensively reconnoitring. Meanwhile, a new danger threatens the Italians, as the Shkumba River is likely to overflow its banks. Chagrin at the Italian reversal is reported to be the cause of the suicide of the former commander-in-chief in Albania, whose name was not announced. He calculated that 200,000 men were enough for a blitzkrieg against Greece. However, an article in the “Regime Fascista” is a more significant, indication of Italian dismay at tho Albanian situation. Signor Farinacci, writing in this paper, is the first Italian critic of the Italian general staff. “Lack of foresight., and military preparedness and also a badly chosen season for military operations caused the happening at Koritza,” he says, “but the Italians, feeling their honour slighted, are now preparing terrifically to defeat the enemy.” While an Italian publicist is thus castigating the Italian leadership, the Chief of the British Imperial General Staff, Sir John Dill. sent, a message to the Greek commander. General Papagos. congratulating him on his success at Koritza and praising the valour of the Greek Army. General Papagos replied: “We are happy to fight side by side with the Britons and drive out the invaders.”