ITALIAN PLANS
ATTEMPT TO REGROUP ARMIES REPORTS OF CONFUSION AND DISORGANISATION DIVISIONS IN EPIRUS IN DANGER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 28. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press says it is admitted there that the next Italian offensive against Greece is not expected to start before January. Thousands of reinforcements are preparing behind a new defensive line. Officials declared that the new push would not be a blitzkreig but a “surprise push” revealing a new type of warfare. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Athens correspondent says the remnants of two Italian divisions on the coastal plain are still in a critical position. The Greeks drove back the Italians who were attempting to resist beyond Delvine and Italian bombers in this sector ineffectively raided bridges on the road to Janina. The military correspondent of the Greece newspaper “Athinaika Nea’ declares that Marshal Badoglio arrived at Tirana on November 26 and conferred with several high officers. Marshal Badoglio aims to regroup the the Italian armies in a new defence line, but as a result of the course of operations this regrouping appears impossible. The Italian retreat is becoming a race for the sea and the British and Greek airmen are excelling themselves in sowing confusion among the retreating forces. Marshal Badoglio is reported to have transferred the naval base from Valona to Singjin. The Italians are stated to have begun ot withdraw troops from Sarande, which'is cut off from Argyrokastron, only the coastal road being open for retreat from Sarande. The Italian commander-in-chief in Albania. General Soddu, is reported to
have ordered Argyrokastron to be defended to the last man. Italian "battle police" are being employed to halt the retreat by shooting deserters and panic stricken soldiers. : MUSSOLINI CRITICAL According to Italian air force prisoners, Mussolini it bitterly critical of the incapacity of air operations in Albania. The airmen who operated against Patras, Corfu and Janina were reservists recruited from the civil air line Ala Littoria. They are well acquainted with Greece, but some of the regular Italian air force pilots mistakenly bombed. Monastir and other Yugoslavian districts.'. Italian officers captured on the central front complain that their cavalry cut their own first line. It also appears that Italian artillery was ordered to fire on its own infantry to prevent a retreat. It is confirmed that a considerable number of Albanian conscripts are mutinying and deserting to the Greeks. Major Ali Mehmed, a leading Albanian officer who fled with King Zqg, is reported to have landed in Albania by parachute. He is said to be well supplied with money and to have quickly rallied the tribal chieftains. A message from Belgrade says that more than 1000 Italians and Albanian concsripts yesterday deserted into Yugoslavia near Debar. Ten Italian tanks surrendered near Lake Ochrida. The Greek night communique says: “Our troops continue successfully their action on Albanian soil. Our aircraft bombed enemy concentrations, troop, columns and batteries. Enemy aircraft bombed villages in Epirus, Corfu, Cephalonia and Crete and also Patras. Some civilians were killed and houses destroyed.”
GREEK PROGRESS
IN SPITE OF ITALIAN EFFORTS. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) ATHENS, November 28. The latest reports indicate that the Greek army is continuing its advance in Albania, despite Italian rearguard actions. Official circles maintain a reserve which has characterised predictions during the last few days.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1940, Page 5
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551ITALIAN PLANS Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1940, Page 5
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