The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-08

Telegraph agency said that the South Serbian army of Jugoslavia had been forced back, uncovering the Greek left flank. The RAF re- pert of a heavy attack upon Strunl- lea may indicate that this is the location of the reported break through. It has been presumed that the Germans would make major effort to cut across the rough mountain country in vest ern push in this area, hoping to smash ali the way to Albania and make contact there with the hard- pressed Italians).
 The RAF attacks were concentrate cd upon railroad stations and troop conveys moving by rail and high way, in an obvious attempt to dis. rupt the German advance by smash- ing communications behind their lines.
 At the same time RAT fighters attacked German dive-bombers and level bombers which engaged in re- peated assaults upon the Greek fortresses protecting the Rupel Pass and other northern approaches to Greece.
 Two of the Greek forts in the Struma valley were captured by the Germans when their last de- lenders fell under Nazi fire.
 Reach Aegean Sea
 It was presumed that the Ger mans had reached the Aegean ct some points of western Macedonia, which was being evacuated by the Greeks with little resistance There was no surprise here at this withdrawal as 1t was understood to follow the tactical plan evolved by the British and Greeks.
 (In London there were hints that the British and Greek forces would fall back eventually to @ north south line running from the inoun- tains in the vicinity of the War; dar valley to the Gulf of Salonika. Germans to occupy Salonika and the entier eastern finger of Mac- cedonia which is thought to be too narrow for effective defense in view of the nearby German air bases in Bulgaria.)
 It was not believed here that the British expeditoinary force 50 far has gone into action against the Germans.
 An official communique said the German war machine was check at the most important points as the fierce battle ragged across 200 miles of eastern Macedonia and western Thrace, the finger of Greek terri- tory between Bulgaria and the Aegean Sea. Heavy casualties wore drenching with blood this ancient roadway between Europe and the Near East, Q frequent battle ground since the dawn of history.
 The Greeks announced that they were abandoning some areas oi western Thrace flor military req. sons and in order to avoid useless bloodshed."
 situation Described
 A war communique described the situation as follows:
 Fort Echinos and Fort Nymphea in Western Thrase continue to re- sist, preventing the passage of heavy German equipment in that sector.
 Fort Lyse, on the 0reke- -Bulgar- ian border in Eastern Macedonia beat off Q German tank attack destroying many tanks with artillery fire.
 Fort Perithori, in the highlands around Neurokapi, northeast oi Seres in Eastern Macedonia, was oc- cupied by Germans after a furious battle, but the Greeks counter-at- tackled, and after Q clash in the forts subterranean passages, the Germans were annihilated and the Greeks held the fort.
 Fort Istinbey and Fort Kelkaya in the Struma river valley, where the German attack was centered fought until the last man was dead They were destroyed.
 Fort Rupel, guarding Rupel pas in the Struma valley, and Fort Ousitsa, having been attacked re- peatedly by tanks, aviation and heavy artillery fire, repulsed the enemy, the communique said. These forts are north of siderokastro, neal the spot where the Struma river crossed the Creek Bulgarian iron. tier.
 Opened tO Germans
 Withdrawal of Greek troops from Western Thrace meant that the narrow strip had been opened tt the Germans, letting them reach the Aegean.
 (An Istanbui dispatch quoted travellers that Germans had reached the Aegean in Western Thrace driving Q wedge between Turkey and 0rcece.)
 (At London the Greek radio was heard broadcasting that the Ger. man parachutists were dropping on the Greek front. The brnadcastaI said some parachutists had been captured. but did not say whether any were still at large. Describing conditions along the Metaxas Line