ITALIAN EFFORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN EFFORTS

REINFORCEMENTS BROUGHT UP PREPARATION OF NEW LINE OF DEFENCES, STRUGGLE FOR ARGYROKASTRON (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 30. Reports from Albania indicate a pause in the rapid advance of the Greeks while they are mopping up local Italian forces. The Italians are doing their utmost to bring up reinforecements, the first of which have already considerably stiffened the resistance. The Italians are retiring toward Elbasan, where a second line of defence is being prepared. The Italians west and north of Pogradcc are also apparently aiming to base their next resistance on Elbasan. The Greeks’ southern advance continues methodically. The Greek Air Force today is reported to have shot down eight Italian planes. Claims made, in Rome that the Italians have at last succeeded in halting the Greek advance are not confirmed by other reports. All reports, however, suggest that the routed Italian armies are making a very great effort to rally resistance to the Greek advance and in particular to hold Argyrokastron.

Messages from Athens report that the Greeks remain confident and military circles continue to be highly satisfied with the progress at the front. According to a Greek High Command communique the Greeks, after successful fights, occupied new positions in various points of Albanian territory, notably in the region jiorth of Kenispolis. The Greek communique adds: ‘ Two guns and a certain number of automatic rifles, as well as prisoners, fell into our hands. Our air force carried out reconnaissance and patrol flights over the enemy lines. The enemy bombed some points, including towns and villages in Epirus, Cephalonia, Zante. Leucas and the western coasts of Peloponnese.” An Italian communique states: “Our! troops on the Greek front tenaciously ' opposed enemy attacks and carried out: effective local counter-attacks at some points. Two air squadrons were occupied throughout the day bombing military objectives and enemy positions. Eleven transports arrived at Durazzo and the troops were hastily disembarked and hurried to the front.” Mussolini has appointed General Alfredo Guzzoni assistant war minister as part of a big reshuffle in the hope of,turning the tide by a counter-offen-sive. A Greek communique states that a Greek destroyer sank an Italian submarine while escorting a merchant convoy. Greek air raid casualties in the first month of the war totalled 644 dead, of which 74 were women, 120 children, and 32 babies. The injured totalled 1070.