Evening star., 1940-12-13
Italian Requirements
Fail to Stop Greeks

ATHENS. Dec. 13 P).-FreSn
italian troops thrown into the battle
in Albania were reported TODAY 10
have failed to halt the slashlng
Greek advance against heights sur
rounding the coastal town OF Cnl-
mara, north of captured Porto Eooa'
despite desperate resistance.
Here and elsewhere the Greeks
said the italians were replacing large
units with new troops, but that the
latter were no more successful IN
checking the Greeks. Especially
large Italian concentrations were
declared thrown into the fight along
the coast in a desperate effort to
halt the Greeks.
One dispatch from the front said
that after the Greeks repulsed
Fascist counterattacks at various
points the initiative along the entire
front passed once again to Greek
troops and the enemy is continuing
to retreat
Serious Blows Received.
"At many places the Italian COM
mand replaced entire units with
fresh forces at the cost OF many
sacrifices because the morale OF the
older forces was seriously impaired
and they were considered unfit for
further fighting" this dispatch
We, But , evdh these new Italian forces
already s1reastD a{e ma many prisoners from
these new units
Captured Italian officers were
said by the Greeks to have ex-
pressed doubt of Italy's ability to
continue the struggle after the
likely fall of Klisura Pass, where
they had hoped to check the Greek
advance toward Tepeleni, road
junction 20 miles north OF Greek
held Argirocastro. Klisura is 10
miles northeast of Tepeleni.
This statement comedies with
other reports of internal dissenslons
in Italy" the Greeks said. and
situation has developed creating in
surmountable difficulties for the
Italians who are trying to find a
way out.
"On the other hand, bad weather
hinders not only their activity but
also Italian transport.
Fighting Is Furious.
"Despite this bad weather furious
fighting continues, mainly at two
points. developing into a new Greek
victory.
The Italians are putting up stlf1er
resistance also in the mountainous
area northwest of Pogradetz, on the
northern front, but, according to
latest reports, they have begun to
give way.
The Greek advance is more ac-
celerated toward Chimara and
Greek troops already have occupied
many strong enemy positions along
the coastal road. The Italians have
started concentrating on the heights
in front of Chimara with the ap-
parent intention of making a last
effort before abandoning this his
toric town"
Strategic heights northeast of Tepe-
leni were in Greek hands, a gov
ernment spokesman said, as Greek
troops thrust a two-pronged drive
in the direction of Valona, one of
three Albanian ports still held by
italian forces.
Stiff Resistance Admitted.
A reconnaissance pilot reported
yesterday that Valona, second only
to Durazzo in Importance to the
Fascists, had been made virtually
useless for large vessels by bombs
which smashed piers and jetties.
The spokesman acknowledged
"stiff and sometimes desperate re-
sistance in the Italian retreat to-
ward Tepeleni but said it had been
crushed"
Further to the right the Italians
offered strong resistance" he con-
tinued. They employed Alpine
troops. Nevertheless our army was
able to occupy one after another OF
the heights which select units de-
Tended, and we captured consider
able number of them"
He said there was an unconfirmed
report that Col. Sardo of the Alpine
division had been killed.
C0unterattacks RepulSed.
Everywhere the Italians at
tempted to counterattack they have
failed" the spokesman said. THE
news is very good from all sectors
of the front"
The Greek high command re-
ported the capture of about $50
italian prisoners, including "a num-
Der" Of officers, by reconnaissance
patrols, while the Ministry of Home
Security said Italian planes bombed
Lefka. on Cyprus, inflicting mo
casualties" but doing some damage
to buildings"