RESISTANCE BROKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1940, Page 5

RESISTANCE BROKEN

ENEMY TANK ATTACKS REPELLED GREEKS MAKE HEADWAY AT MANY POINTS. BOOTY OF GREAT VALUE CAPTURED. LONDON, December 4. The War Ministry in Athens announced that the Greek troops have achieved another notable successes in the sector northward of Premet. “Our artillery crushed the stubborn enemy resistance,” it stated, “and an enemy tank attack on either side of the highway also failed. We occupied Premet, capturing more than 500 prisoners, six guns and abundant material. Our aircraft successfully bombed fixed and moving targets.” The Greeks in the Argyrokastron sector crossed the Drohuli River near the villages of Vaniste and Libohiva, about eight miles to the south-west of Argyrokastron. ' The Greeks in the central sector, it is reported, advanced along the northern road in the direction of Elbasan and occupied the villages of Khukus and Djura without having to fight. Between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. British planes heavily bombed the road from Lin to Elbasan. The Italians have been unable to use the road* since Monday. The value of the booty captured from the Italians is estimated at £10,000,000. The small mortars captured are believed to be sufficient to equip the entire Greek Army.' Thrusting towards the sea in Albania’s southern pocket, the Greeks are reported to have reached points within a few hundred yards of Sarande. The Greeks at dawn resumed the advance which yesterday brought them within a mile and a quarter of Sarande. (After the occupation of Albania Mussolini renamed Sarande Port Edda, after his daughter Edda.) POCKETS IRONED OUT. The net result of the Greek operations in the last 36 hours has been the ironing out of a number of pockets in their line in southern Albania. Dispatches received in Athens this morning report a new Greek victory resulting in the occupation of the forest of Bouna, after the destruction of the so-called “Death Battalions” of the Ferrara division in a nightlong battle in which the Italians stubbornly resisted. The Greek advance in the Argyrokastron sector is expected to be considerably facilitated by this decisive engagement. Though not so spectacular, the Greeks scored successes in other sectors and dislodged strongly entrenched detachments from the heights of Mount Ostrovitse. The Greeks heavily repulsed an Italian counter-at-tack near Lake Okhrido and captured many prisoners. An improvement in the weather resulted in intense air activity by both sides. SEIZURE OF HEIGHTS. After severe fighting during the past few days the Greeks everywhere command heights overlooking the enemy’s positions, including the heights dominating Premet, the capture of which is momentarily expected, says the Athens correspondent of “The Times.” The straightening out of the zigzag Greek line in the past few days will result in economy of men and an increase in the striking force of the Greek army. The line will be further shortened when Sarande and Argyrokastron fall. Important advances on the extreme right toward the interior also promise well for future operations. Though the enemy’s forces and capabilities must not be underrated, the Greeks generally are unshakably convinced that victory will finally be

achieved. The army’s spirit is very high and troops marching back for a few days’ rest declare that they are willing to forgo the rest and carry on. Those going to the front line cheer and sing. A Greek spokesman said the Italians were withdrawing on all fronts and were evacuating Sarande, Argyrokastron and Premet. The British United’ Press vorrespondent in Athens says Greek patrols tonight entered the outskirts of Sarande.