Evening star., 1940-11-22
Greek Forces Capture Koritzo,
Pursue Italians Farther South;
Aroirocostro Also Is Menuced
Advance Continues
On All Fronts,
Athens Says

D. the Associated Press.
ATHENS, Nov. 22.-The capture
II Koritza, key base in Southern
Albania from which italian COL
INNS drove into Greece 25 days
go, was announced triumphantly
pday by the Greek government.
1t came as the climax of bitter
Farfare in the rugged mountains of
he Greek-Albanian frontier in
Fhich hard-fighting Greek troops
[rst checked and then hurled back
be tide of invasion.
"Our heroic troops after hard
lighting entered Koritza today tri-
|mphantly," said a cOmmuniQue.
The advance of our troops con-
(nues everywhere"
Jubilantly the government ordered
ags displayed throughout the lit
4e kingdom, and dispatches from
lalonika and elsewhere told of an
kcited populace eagerly discussing
he latest victory.
Gan italian communique ad-
mitted the loss of Koritza and
said two Italian divisions had
been forced to withdraw
Not only have its forces occupied
oritZa, 10 miles inside Albania,
ut other Greek forces are pursuing
n italian army retreating pell nell
hrther south, near the center of
he 100-mile front, Greek an
ouncements said.
Argirocastro Menaced.
AS q result of this break in the
talian line, the Greeks were said
b be threatening Argirocastro, a
econd advanced base only 80 miles
rom Porto Edda. Porto Edda is one
4 the bases used by the Italians
b supply their Albanian army from
he sea.
A government spokesman said
hat before the day is over there
hay not be "a single Italian left in
Freek territory"
So swiftly and so deeply were the
Freeks said to have followed the
eceding wave of italian invasion
hat their trucks could not keep
b in the Albanian mountain wilder
ess and Greek and British planes
ropped food to the Greek van
yards.
Aerial observers reported the
alians were abandoning Koritza
long roads covered by Greek noun
bin guns and other reports said
allan resistance before Argirocastro
as so shattered the advancing
treeks virtually were unopposed.
me collapse was attributed to sew
raj demoralizing breaks through
be Fascist southern front.
Italians Reported in Yugoslavia.
One Italian battalion endan-
gered by the onrushing Greek
army was said by reports to Bel
grade, Yugoslavia, from the front
today to have crossed the AL
banian frontier into Yugoslavia
near Etenje.
ct was estimated unofficially
that 300 soldiers in the battalion
were disarmed and interned.
Reporting the capture of Kor-
liza, Greeks in Belgrade said
their army marched into the
fallen city with band playing.
CA frontier observer said the
Greeks had advanced past Mount
Zvezda. northeast of Koritza.
The Italians still held some
points Oh that rugged stronghold.
The Greeks were moving north
toward Pogradetz near the south
ern end of Lake Ochrida, which
lies athwart the Albanian -Yugo-
slav borderD
Huge Stores Amassed.
At both KoritZa and Argirocastro
he italians had amassed huge stores
supplies for their armies.
"All over the front, fighting con-
nued throughout the day and our
toops scored further successes a
eneral headquarters communique
hrly today described yesterdays
etion.
1--WE took Is guns, OF which seven
Fere heavy artillery pieces, four
nti-aircraft guns, dozens of ma
hine guns, many howitzers and all
hnds of material, also foodstuffs and
lel depots.
"Our aviation carried out sue
essful reconnaissance flights and
ombing of battlefields."
A government spokesman empha-
|zed that the Greek offensive was
b pell-mell chase, but a method
bal advance. He said it was being
Fessed cautiously on a pre-deter-
lined plan and that the Greeks
fere wary not to let themselves be
.awn out too far.
Recapture of towns and positions
For creating an impression" he said,
of secondary Importance; "our
rmy is interested in victory"
The Greek Home Security Min
try accused the Italians of pill
(glng the town of Igoumenitsa
hen they withdrew from it,; of
nooting two residents and taking
thers as hostages.
Koritza and Argirocastro were the
Wo springbosrds whence Italians
lunched their invasion of Greek
(See ATHENS, Page A-3)