BATTLES IN SNOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 5

BATTLES IN SNOW

GREEKS STILL PRESSING ATTACKS MORE ENEMY POSITIONS CAPTURED. FURTHER PROGRESS IN COASTAL ZONE. Reports from correspondents in Athens, transmitted by the 8.8. C., state that the Greeks have occupied a coastal town fifteen miles north-west of Sapti Qnaranta. Further north fierce fighting is going on in heavy snowstorms. At one point an Italian battalion is reported to have been wiped out when it attempted to cross a ravine in ignorance of the fact that a height commanding it was in the hands of the Greeks. A strong enemy position near the Yugoslav frontier has been takenby the Greeks. Small advances by the Greeks are reported on many parts of the front.

HOLD ON HEIGHTS DESPERATE ITALIAN EFFORT REPELLED. IN FIERCE THREE-DAY CONFLICT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, December 13. A message from Budapest states that the Greek Ministry of War announced by radio that the advance on the entire front is continuing. The Italians were driven back near Tepelene in the south-west, and on the northern front the Greeks broke the resistance of six Alpine battalions, capturing important heights.

Dispatches to Athens from the northern front say that the Greeks have smashed General Soddu’s desperate attempt to recapture the northern heights of the Mokra range, which was the greatest obstacle to the Greek advance toward Elbasan. The heights remain in Greek hands after a fierce three-day battle of infantrymen on a front of 30 miles. The Italians were lost without their aviation, which the snow has grounded. It is reported in Athens that the Italian aviation is hampered by the heavy bombardments by the Allied air forces, which have severely damaged the airports of Durazzo and Tirana. It is reported, though without confirmation, that empty cargo ships and transports have arrived at the port of Valona, possibly for the evacuation of Italian troops. • Greek scouts reported that the famous Italian “Centuar” armoured division, which had remained unbroken during the retreat, has jettisoned tanks, armoured cars and trucks in a ravine at Royusa rather than permit them to fall into Greek hands.

FALL OF VALONA. ANTICIPATED BY TURKS. ITALIAN DEMORALISATION EXTENDING. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, December 13. The Greeks are believed to be already beyond Porto Palermo and within five miles of Himara. The Greeks entirely wiped out an Italian regiment, which crossed a ravine, not knowing that the Greeks held the commanding heights, and came under a withering fire. Greek infantry later went down to clear the ravine, but found not a single Italian alive. An Ankare radio message stated that the capture of Valona is only a matter of days and that the event “may become a stepping-stone to the downfall of the Fascist regime.” The Italian retreat continues, despite the attempts of commanders to rally their troops. Even the disciplinary shooting of soldiers no longer impresses the Italians. Outspoken Italian officers taken prisoner say the Italians are without morale and find retrea’t more pleasant than fighting.