FIRST OF ITS KIND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1941, Page 6

FIRST OF ITS KIND

BATTLE IN NORTHERN GREECE BETWEEN BRITISH & NAZI ARMOURED UNITS. ALLIED ARMY IN PREPARED POSITIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. British and Greek armoured divisions are driving against the Nazi panzer units pouring through the Monastir Gap. The Allies are trying to keep the Germans hemmed in in the Florina-Yannitza sector. Despatches describe the battle between the completely armoured British and German forces, which are manoeuvring on the plain between Monastir and Flirona, as the first action of its kind. In the Greek mountains, behind this battle area, the main Allied defence army awaits in prepared positions the main German onslaught. A military spokesman in Athens says that in preliminary encounters the Greek infantry, man for man. are proving superior to the Germans. This is giving the Greeks great heart. “THREAT TO IRAQ.”

The “Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent says Mr Eden’s reports to Cabinet had given timely warning of the real purpose of Rashid Ali’s coup in Iraq. The object of Germany's Balkans and Libyan drives is to achieve the Kaiser’s Berlin-Bagdad dream. With the Mosul oilfields as one of the spoils, Iraq is the nerve centre of the whole Middle East.

The “Sunday Times” emphasises the difficulties of maintaining a British Expeditionary Force in Greece. The British are drawing most of their supplies from Egypt and therefore the maintenance of Egyptian bases is most essential. Air control over the Balkans, where communications are limited, counts for more even than in. the Low Countries offensive.

A Hungarian High Command communique states: “We have occupied the entire Baranya triangle. Our’troops between the Danube and Tisa have reached Novisad. Hungarian parachutist occupied important bridges far ahead of the army. Our losses have been slight.”

MANY HITS MADE ON ENEMY TRANSPORT IN BALKANS. ATTACKS IN MONASTIR AREA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) RUGBY. April 13. Nows of British air activity on the Albanian front is contained in an official announcement, issued in Athens, which states:—“R.A.F. bomber aircraft successfully attacked German motorised convoys in the Monastir area yesterday. Hits were registered on the road and vehicles were destroyed. Another formation bombed a convoy near Valona Harbour. Other operations were carried out, but results were difficult to observe owing to extremely bad weather conditions. “On the night of April 11, enemy aircraft made a number of raids on the Piraeus harbour and surrounding area. Anti-aircraft defences and night fighters accounted for three enemy aircraft definitely destroyed, and a. number of others severely damaged. “From all these operations one of our aircraft failed to return, but the pilot is safe.”

R.A.F. REPORT SUCCESSES AGAINST CONVOYS. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, April 13. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “In the Balkans, our bombers successfully attacked . motor convoys in the Bitolj area yesterday. Many hits were registered on the road and a, number of vehicles wore destroyed. Another formation attacked a convoy of motor vehicles proceeding towards Valona Harbour. “During the previous night, enemy aircraft made a number of raids in the Piraeus area. Anti-aircraft guns and night fighters destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and several were damaged.”