CREEK VICTORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1941, Page 5

CREEK VICTORIES

TOTAL OF MORE THAN 14,000 PRISONERS ITALIANS PREPARING DEPENCE OP VALONA. PUNISHING RAH) ON ELBASAN. A message from the American Red Cross in Athens states that the Greeks have taken more than 14,000 prisoners since the war began. The Italians arc reported to be busily engaged in preparations for the final defence of the important port and supply base of Valona. Another heavy and destructive raid has been made by the R.A.F. on Elbasan. Bombs were seen to burst on buildings and a number of tires were started.

Heavy artillery actions are reported on the Albanian northern front. CONTINUED CAPTURES POSITION IN DODECANESE ISLANDS. GARRISON BLOCKADED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright> LONDON. January 7. The continued capture of small batches of Italians remains the principal news of the land fighting in Albania. It is estimated that the total of prisoners so far is more than 13 000. “The Times” Athens correspondent says many Blackshirts were among .Sunday's bag. He adds that the situation in the Dodecanese Islands resembles that of - Bardia. About 15.000 to 20.000 troops are there , but they are almost completely blockaded. AH the ammunition fired is a dead loss because it is irreplaceable under the present conditions. The recent appointment of a gentler Governor has not appeased the Greek inhabitants, who have suffered I appalling treatment for nearly 20 i years. i An Athens communique stated tha! ian Italian air squadron bombed Koritzn, causing more than 100 civilian casualties and destroying forty Imuses and damaging the cathedral, An enemy hydroplane machine-gunned a Greek fishing boat near a small Aegean island. killing a fisherman, The Greek radio said: “North of Himara there was a heavy Greek artillery bombardment and the Italians fled in disorder. In the central sector Greek attacks broke Italian counter-attacks. On the northern front the Greeks captured new positions." A Greek Government spokesman said that 35.000 wounded Italians have been evacuated from Valona alone. RAID ON ELBASAN NUMBER OF FIRES STARTED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY. January 8. An announcement by the headquarters of the British Air Force in Greece dealing with the raid on Elbasan, says: “Rain was now falling in the target area, making the observation of results difficult, but high explosive and incendiary bombs were seen to hit | several buildings and a number of fires, were started. Heavy anti-aircraft fire, was experienced, but all our aircraft j returned safely.”