Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-25
Greeks in Argirocostro Suburbs;
Capture Expected by Evening;
Drive Begun to Win All AIbonio
Italians Reported
Abandoning Posts
In Center of Line
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 25.-Dis-
patches from the battlefront said
today that Greek advance units had
entered the outskirts of Argirocastro,
main italian military base in South
ern Albania, and that the city was
expected to fall before evening.
Heavy fighting also was reported
southwest of Argirocastro, where the
Greeks were threatening to push to
the Adriatic coast, isolating large
number of Italians.
These thrusts were part OF
counter drive against the thwarteo
Italian invasion which was described
by military sources as "full-f1edged
offensive" intended to wrest Albania
from Italian control and possibly
keyed to plan for Greek-British
seizure of Italy's strategic Dodeca-
nese islands.
While the drive on Argirocastro
continued, additional Greek columns
to the east threatened Premeti.
Retreat in Pogradetz Area.
I'm the central sector, the Italians
were reported to have abandoned
their fortified positions on Mount
Ostravitza. Another italian retreat
continued in the Pogradetz area,
north of the surrendered city OF
Koritza. where even Greek cavalry
was unable to engage the main body
of the fleeing Italians.
Greek sources said that casual
ties of both armies have been COM
paratively small and attributed this
to alleged failure Of the Italians to
Differ stubborn resistance to Greek
attack.
A neutral military source estl-
mated that the Greeks have taken
5 900 prisoners. About 1000 arrived
In Athens today.
(The capture of 5000 prisoners
was announced in Athens today, &C
cording to a dispatch from the
Greek capital to Exchange Tele-
graph, British news agency
Accompanying the land drive, the
Greek air force bombed the Alban-
an cities of Berati, Elbasani and
Tepelini, while Italian planes also
we're reported in action after several
days of quiet.
Greek spokesman said that with
= but even reaching the Italians Sec
. bnd line of Albanian defenses Greek
troops over the week end:
i. Seized heights commanding
strategic Argirocastro, the Italians
principal south Albanian base, IS
miles from the Greek frontier.
2. Captured Konispolis, In extreme
southern Albania, In a supporting
drive to push the italians back to-
ward Porto Edda (Santi Quaranta)
bn the Strait of Otranto opposite
italy.
8. Reached Frasheri, more than Is
niles inside Albania in the central,
Pindus Mountain. sector.
4. Occupied Maschopolis, II miles
vest of captured Koritza, and
cached Pogradetz, guardian OF the
highway to the Albanian capital,
rirana, in the northern sector.
The push to Pogradetz, Is miles
lorth of Koritza and slightly more
han 80 miles inside Albania, was
he Greeks deepest penetration OF
he Italian defense to be reported.
A Greek spokesman said stiffening
Italian resistance along some Of the
fascist routes of retreat indicated a
tendency to establish second de-
ense line, but added the Greek pur-
nit had not been stopped
The high command reported "Our
ir force bombed three enemy COL
INNS in retreat with great success"
Ind dispatches from Ochrid, on the
lbanian-Yugoslav border said Brit
Bh planes and Greek artillery
ounded retreating forces yesterday.
British troops-their number I'M
isclosed-were reported authorita-
lively last night to have been ferried
cross the Mediterranean by files Of
British transports and landed at
sreek ports where cheering, flag
1aving Greeks welcomed them.
The British-many of them de-
cribed at veterans Of the last stand
Flanders and the retreat through
bunkerque-were said to be special
It's in equipment, transportation
nd supplies They were reported
have been sent as an operating
prce to work with the r. A. F. in
sreece rather than as reinforce
hents for the Greek Army.
Other reports said considerable
brces of British and Greek troops
Fere massed in an "expeditionary"
rmy on the Greek Island of Crete,
waiting the zero hour" for direct
ssault on the strongly fortified
odecanese Islands.
Such an attack, it was indicated,
light be sprung as soon as the
ritish naval blockade in the East
IN Mediterranean could weaken the
ALLAN bases on the islands.
The high command communique
(See GREEK, Page ABB