GREEK ADVANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 5

GREEK ADVANCE

ALONG WHOLE FRONT MANY PRISONERS TAKEN BRITISH FLIERS HELP (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 25 Continuing their advance along the whole front, Greek troops captured Moskopoli, a small mountain resort 10 miles north-west of Korea, where it. was believed the Italians might have been able to make a stand. During mopping-up operations in the region of Korea, 1500 prisoners were taken and 12 heavy guns, several mortars c\nd other materials were captured. Greek aircraft bombed three enemy columns in retreat. Greek soldiers who captured Korea are pushing on nearly 30 mijes from that town on the main Italian line retreating to the Albanian coast. The Greeks are also advancing on the road to Elbasan, fighting an elusive enemy. All the way British and Greek aircraft have assisted by increasingly bombing the retreating Italians. The enemy have been pillaging, burning and looting en route, and have abandoned strings of tanks and transpons. An American correspondent speaks of wrecked Italian air bases in Albania littered with the debris of destroyed aircraft. It is officially stated that the Greeks are entering the outskirts of Argyrokastron, and advanced units sre advancing along the road from Pogradec toward Elbasan. although fighting continues for strategic heights west of Pogradec. Greeks* Master Stroke According to the Daily Telegraph’s Athens correspondent, Italy’s prewar military dispositions in Albania aid not contemplate the defensive. Assuming that, the Greeks are able to continue the pressure, it is doubted whether the Italians will be able to find a tenable defence position until they reach a line between Valona, Elbasan ad Lake Okrida, which will compare but poorly with the line the Italians were compelled to abandon. “It is clear that a master-brain directed the Greek defence and counter-stroke,” the correspondent adds. “ The Greek defences were elastic in the early days of the invasion, while holding firmly to the northern sector, in which was the biggest Italian concentration. The original success of the Greeks in the northern sector facilitated the triumph in the centre, which was likewise a factor in the Italian retreat in the Epirus.” The German Foreign Office journal Diplomatische Korrespondenz, referring to General Metaxas’ statement that the Greeks are fighting not only for themselves but for other small peoples, says: “ Such declarations are extraordinarily daring and dangerous. General Metaxas thereby confesses himself a tool of the British policy for extending the war.” Italy’s “New Positions” The Rome radio in its news service to the Far East last night made the following brief reference to the Greek campaign:—“On the Greek front the Italians are taking up their new position without much hindrance from the enemy.” SHIPPING HIT ONE BURSTS INTO FLAMES SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS ITALIAN FORCES HARASSED (OlTlclal Wireless) (Received Nov. 26, noon) RUGBY, Nov. 25 A Royal Air Force communique, issued at Cairo, states: A further raid was carried out on Durazzo yesterday. The attack was directed on shipping, the harbour, quay, jetties and harbour buildings. One direct hit was registered on a 10,000-ton ship and another on a smaller ship, which immediately burst into flames. Bombs fell on the quay close to another vessel. One heavy salvo fell fifty yards on the land side of the harbour jetty. Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered, but despite this the attack was pressed home. One British aircraft failed to return. A Cairo General Headquarters communique states: Our harassing operations in the area east of Gallabat continue. There is no change on all the other fronts. FEAR OF TIME-BOMB 5000 WORKMEN SEARCHED AT BOSTON NAVY YARD REASON FOR PRECAUTIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 26. 11.5 a.m.) BOSTON Nov. 25 Nearly 5000 workmen were halted and searched when they arrived at work at the Boston navy yard this morning. The precautions were taken, according to Boston police officials, after the navy yard officials had received information from an authoritative source that an attempt would be made by a workman to smuggle a time-bomb or dynamite into the yard. One hundred special police, also marines, helped the navy yard guards to search the men and their cars and clothing.