ATHENS REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1941, Page 5

ATHENS REPORTS

BATTLE IN FULL PROGRESS GREEKS INFLICT SERIOUS LOSSES. BEFORE TAKING UP NEW POSITIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, April 16. Athens radio, quoting the Greek Press Ministry, said that the battle which began in western Macedonia on Monday is now in full progress. The Germans, after a slight push to the west on Monday, attempted a further advance yesterday, using very considerable forces supported from the air. The Greek army, which bore the brunt of the attack, inflicted serious losses and took up new positions in good order without loss. The British Imperial forces co-operating with the Greek army repulsed German mechanised forces at many points and inflicted considerable damage. In spite of tremendous efforts the Germans were unable to pierce the new Greek line.

The situation on the northern Greek front, the statement said, is still serious but there are good grounds for hope. The Greeks on the Albanian front heavily repulsed local Italian attacks. The Royal Air Force again played havoc with marching German columns and also heavily attacked their supply bases.

A Greek communique stated that German armoured' columns which have crossed the Vistritsa River to the west of Mount Olympus are battling with the Greeks and British near Grevena. The communique admits that the enemy has captured the towns of Kiaffe and Goritz, to the south of Koritza across the Albanian frontier. A later Greek communique says that German forces in western Macedonia are in action near Grevena (about 45 miles due west of Mount Olympus) and are trying to advance to Kalabaka. Tn the heights round Koziani the Germans are pressing toward Haliakmon. To the south of Koritza the Kiaffe gorge fell into enemy hands.