YUGOSLAV ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1941, Page 5

YUGOSLAV ARMY

SAID TO BE LARGELY , INTACT RETIREMENT TO MOUNTAINS. HOPES OF PUSH SOUTHWARD. LONDON. April 14. While the information reaching London regarding the fronts in Greece is precise, there is some obscurity as to the situation in the various parts of Yugoslavia where the defenders and the enemy have been in contact. The capture by the enemy of Skoplje and Veles and the occupation of Salonika and Monastic having, in effect, severed communications with the north, most of the news reaching the outside wprld from Yugoslavia is controlled by the Germans, who as usual are presenting it in the form best calculated to serve their interests, and the tendency here is to regard it with the utmost reserve.

It is, however, clear that the impetus of the German thrust which has been halted by the Greek resistance in the south is slackening farther north, where in the mountain regions of southern Yugoslavia the defending forces are fighting with the greatest heroism.

The Athens radio says the great bulk of the Yugoslav army is apparently intact and has retired to the mountains,'where they will maintain their defence, and will constitute a permanent threat to the invaders’ flanks. The situation in north Yugoslavia is obscure, but it seems probable that the Yugoslavs have retired from the wide plains of Croatia, Slovenia and Banat, moving southward to the highland regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and approaching Serbia where a strong defence can be readily maintained.

The situation in south Yugoslavia has materially improved in the last 48 hours, Athens radio continues. Yugoslav detachments are repeatedly attacking from elevated positions, dislocating enemy communications and inflicting many casualties. The Germans'are unable to use their mechanised armoured units in this region, where the Serbian infantry are definitely superior to the Germans. The Yugoslavs assumed the counter-offen-sive with great spirit at one point on either bank of the River Morava and forced the Germans to retreat.

The main Yugoslav force, the radio says, is' believed to be concentrating for an effective push southward with the object of joining up with the British and Greek armies.