GREEK DESTROYERS ATTACKED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 7

GREEK DESTROYERS ATTACKED

TWO MERCHANTMEN TORPEDOED TURKEY ANXIOUS OVER SITUATION Two messages from Athens state that two Greek destroyers bound for Timos were bombed by aeroplanes yesterday, and although the dispatches do not name the nation of the attackers, reports from America state that the planes were definitely identified as belonging to the Italian Ait Force. Neither ship was sunk, but some damage was caused to both. Two Greek merchantmen have also been lost, both being torpedoed. Tension in Athens is increasing, while Turkey is viewing the Italian-Greek situation with increasing seriousness. The premier has held conferences with the Greek Minister and the navy and army chiefs. In Rome it is officially claimed that it was not an Italian submarine that torpedoed the Greek cruiser Helle. A spokesman said that the sinking was a British manoeuvre intended to worsen the Italian-Greek relations. He added that Italy would demand reparations from Greece for the killing of Haut Hoggia. Demands for justice in Albania continue. A later message from the American Press correspondent says that the commanders of the bombed destroyers sent radio messages to the Ministry of the Navy, accusing Italian bombers of making the attack. The destroyers were thel Vasilevs Giorgios, and the Vasilis Saolga which, despite a shower of bombs, did not retaliate, but zig-zagged at full speed.