FURIOUS ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1941, Page 5

FURIOUS ATTACKS

GREEKS RESUME OFFENSIVE BRILLIANT VICTORY. ITALIANS SUFFER APPALLING LOSSES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! LONDON, March 9. Resuming their offensive after the enforced inactivity caused by bad weather, the Greeks achieved one of the most brilliant victories in Albania when they drove the enemy from almost impregnable main defensive positions in the central sector, capturing 2500 prisoners and a wealth of valuable material. The Italians suffered appalling losses, the ground being strewn with heaps of dead. A communique in Athens stated: "We took new positions after a serious and stubborn struggle, taking more than 1000 prisoners and capturing much material.” This new Greek success, which is described as the greatest since the capture of Kelcyra, lends force to a statement in well-informed quarters in Athens that the Greeks will not consider an armistice with Italy. The Athens correspondent of “The Times” says that Greek artillery began an intensive bombardment on Friday morning, after which planes bombed and machine-gunned the enemy lines, facilitating a bayonet attack. In spite of the heavy artillery fire and the fury of the Greek infantry, the Italians repeatedly and obstinately counterattacked but collapsed before the Greek attacks which were resumed on Saturday morning, and prolonged combined artillery, aerial and infantry attacks resulted in the capture of one strongly-held height after another. This is be'lieved to be the first time the enemy has appeared in such force. The Greek barrage was so deadly that seven counter-attacks were repelled.

STRONG COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS. FIVE ITALIAN PLANES SHOT DOWN. ATHENS, March 10. A communique states: "The offensive continued, with enemy positions occupied. The enemy launched strong counter-attacks which were repulsed with heavy losses. We took 150 prisoners and abundant material. Our planes assisted in the operations.” The Greeks are reported to be strongly attacking Tepelene. Greek planes bombed supply depots behind Tepelene, and the R.A.F. shot down five Italian planes north of the town.

DURAZZO RAIDED LARGE FIRES,AND EXPLOSIONS. SEVEN ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN. The R.A.F. in Albania, the 8.8. C. states, made a successful bombing raid on motorised transport and gun positions in the Tepelene area. The previous night R.A.F. bombers made a heavy raid on Durazzo. Fires were started which could bo seen 70 miles away and were growing bigger. There were many explosions. Seven Italian planes were destroyed. A small force of fighters encountered a large number of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters. The British planes shot down seven Italian machines, six fighters and one bomber and a number of others were seriously damaged. One British machine was lost but the pilot made a safe landing.

SUCCESS AT MALTA TWO PLANES DESTROYED. The destruction of a Junkers 88 on a reconnaissance flight over Malta is announced in a communique from Cairo, broadcast by the 8.8. C. Another enemy machine crashed, all members of the crew being killed. VISIT BY MUSSOLINI PAID TO TEPELENE FRONT. LONDON, March 10. The correspondent of the Associated Press at the Greek General Headquarters states that captured officers reveal that Signor Mussolini visited the Tepelene front in an armoured car just before the present Greek offensive began. They also reveal that Signor Bottai, Minister of Education, and Signor Cianetti, Under-Secretary for Corporations, were killed or wounded after the offensive began on March 8. Cianetti was a captain of artillery. Officers added that the Italian commander, General Cavallero, has returned to Italy and that General Gelloso is now in command in Albania.