STRONG POSITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1940, Page 6

STRONG POSITIONS

TAKEN FROM ITALIANS ALONG WHOLE ALBANIAN FRONT. ONLY REARGUARDS LEFT IN ARGYRO'KASTRON. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, December 5. The Greek advance drove the Italians out of many strong positions along the whole front yesterday and heavy Italian losses of men and material are reported. Only Italian rearguards are holding Argyrokastron, states a British United Press correspondent at Athens. Isolated Italian units are reported to be covering a retreat in the whole coastal sector, while the Eleventh Army Corps is establishing a new line running along the heights between Himara and Tepelene with advanced positions around Palermo, which is on the coast, 16 miles above Saranda. An Athens message states that the Italian withdrawal from Saranda is reported to be continuing. Mechanised columns are moving the equipment twenty miles along the coast to prevent its falling into Greek hands. The Greeks have already captured valuable booty in the region, which was once an important Italian provisioning base.

A Greek Government spokesman says Greek dive-bombers hit Italian barracks crowded with reinforcements at Tepelene and also bombed the only serviceable bridge across the Svojiuza River, disrupting the Italian communications.

A communique issued at British headquarters in Athens says: “In a fierce battle ovei’ the enemy lines, our, fighters, without loss, shot down a large number of enemy planes. Greek sources say the enemy lost ten machines? but confirmation of this is awaited. Our bombers and fighters successfully attacked retreating enemy troops and concentrations of troops. “Off Saranda, our bombers attacked a destroyer, scoring two direct hits. The destroyer was listing heavily when the planes withdrew.”