Evening star., 1940-12-26


The Italian infantry and artillery.
were entrenched on two peaks of
more than 5000 feet, west and
southwest of Chimara, in positions
which they had made superior to
anything the attacking Greeks had.
In addition, the Fascist aviation
mercilessly bombed and machine
gunned the only communication
road along the seacoast for five days.
AS many as 80 planes bombed the
coastal road in single day. One
6-mile stretch of road was subjected
to IL raids on Saturday as the Fas-
cists dropped scores of bombs and
machine -gunned every motor vehicle
or man who moved on the only high
way leading northward toward Chi
mara. Behind all this front the
Duce's aviation, profiting by clear,
sunny skies, maintained very great
activity.
Advance Never Halted.
Despite this co-ordnated defensive
action by the italian infantry and
air force, the Greek advance never
halted and we have been able to
follow its constant. brilliant, stub
born progress for the last two days.
Essentially the Greek capture of
Chimara was repetition OF both
the f1anking movement and the in
cessant pressure along the heights
with which they were able to turn
the tide below the Kalamas River
in Greece. many miles south of here.
Now, by occupying Chinara, the
Greeks extreme left wing. operating
over the mountains. along the coast,
and against terrific obstacles, has
driven within 40 miles of Valona.
Their advance has continued un-
interruptedly for more than one
month. The Greeks began, out
numbered three to one by the in
vaders, and inflicted defeat after de-
feat on the Italians, capturing pris-
oners which now total several thou
sand. This is military accom-
plishment of first order.
When the Fascists drove deeply
into Greece below the Kalamas
River they had one division of in
fantry, one regiment of cavalry one
regiment of artillery and one anti
aircraft battery. The Greeks were
never able to meet them on any,
thing like even terms in men or
equipment. Yesterday (Tuesday I
stood on a height some miles south
of Chimara and looked back over
the vast expanse of wild ranges, one
after the other, and marveled how
the Greeks had driven the Italians
from dozens Of contorted, huge
shoulders of rocks and snow. But
they have, and continue to do so.
Seemed Impregnable.
it was over such staggering terrain
that the Greeks forced their way
into Agisaranta across from and
opposite to Corfu. But farther
north, along the coast, two still
higher peaks would make Chimara
seem impregnable for anybody but
the lionhearted. Last Thursday,
fighting fercely through knee-deep
snow, the Greek soldiers took the
first of these peaks, south Of Chi
mara, together with 500 prisoners.
Although the Italians had built
dugouts on the heights for protec-
ton against the snow and bitter
cold; although the Greeks had no
shelter whatever, they drove for
ward. At one time, so the general
In command told us. Greek soldiers
suffering from frozen feet protested
strongly when the officers ordered
them to drop out before the final
onslaught.
The famous Greek mountaineers.
the Evzones, charged with bayo-
nets and the Italians, In sight Of
cold steel, either surrendered or
withdrew in confusion, leaving their
machine guns behind.
There still remained the mountain
with its key defensive positions,
lying directly west Of Chimara and
rising $500 feet. On Saturday, using
the same tactics, Greek unit saw
agely attacked the crest and before
night had stormed it again, captur-
ing many prisoners. Once en-
trenched upon it, the italian with
drawal from Chimara was unavoid-
able and it followed swiftly.
One Obstacle Remains.
Before the Greek advance guard,
heading for Valona, there now re-
mains only one obstacle, the mighty
range of Logaras Mountain, which
touches 5000 feet at its topmost
point. But, with Chimara's fall, the
right flank of the Fascists' strongest
defensive line In Southern Albania
has broken and been driven back.
This is the lire from Chimara,
northeasterly over other great
ranges through Tepeleni to Klisura,