MAJOR BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1940, Page 5

MAJOR BATTLES

ON CENTRAL FRONT IMPORTANT GAINS MADE BY GREEKS. REPORTED ARRIVAL OF GERMAN BOMBERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 22. A major battle is proceeding in southern Albania in the Tepelene and Kelcyra areas, where successes gained by the Greeks yesterday are stated to be among the most important of the war. The enemy’s counter-attacks have broken down and an Italian regiment has been decimated and two battalions surrounded. The Greeks have captured 2000 Italians during the last week. The Italians are using planes on a large scale, attacking Greek troops and bombing towns behind the lines. Fifty bombs dropped on Premet caused heavy casualties and damage. It is authoritatively stated that 18 Italian planes were shot down today. A message from Struga (Yugoslavia) states that five German planes, including a dive-bomber, arrived at the Albanian capital, Tirana, this morning. A British Official Wireless message states that according to an unofficial report, the situation of the Italian rearguard in The Telepene region is extremely difficult. In the Klessouri or Kelcyra sector, the reports add. the Greeks have occupied heights rendering the passes useless.