STEADY PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 5

STEADY PROGRESS

SOME RESISTANCE OFFERED IN EPIRUS ENEMY MORALE AT LOW I EBB. I VILLAGES WANTONLY BURNED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, November 26. A Greek communique from Athens last .night, recording the advance and capture of war positions, is supplemented by news reaching official quarters in London. In the northern sector, the Greeks, after taking Moskopolis—where no Italian troops were found—advanced fifteen kilometres (about nine miles) westwards. Pogradec, to the north, has also fallen and Italian columns advancing thither from the north were attacked by British aircraft and dispersed. While there is nothing particular to report from the Pindus sector the Greek advance to Argyrokastron, on the Epirus front, has met with some opposition from Italian reinforcements. There is no official information as to whether the town is yet in Greek hands. In the coastal sector, Greek troops are now beyond Philates and some have landed behind the Italian flank, cutting the enemy communications. The view generally in official circles is that the Italians are trying to restore the situation from their own resources. Since the operations began, Italy has put the equivalent of two new divisions into Albania. The sinking of the Italian morale is considered to be shown by the capture in one place of a commanding officer and his staff, two company commanders and the whole equipment of a battalion. Reports have been officially confirmed in London that villages have been wantonly burned, villagers executed and hostages carried off by the Italians in their retreat.