Evening star., 1941-04-08
Troops at Skop|ie> Nazis Claim;
In Position TO Challenge British;
Greeks Turn Tide Of Battle in Hills
May Hit Soloniko
Or AIbonio, Nozi
Spokesman Says

- the Associated Press.
BERLIN, April 8.-GermanS
claimed today that their troops
from Bulgaria and Rumania had
advanced to Skoplje. important
industrial and military center in
Southern Yugoslavia, about 100
miles northwest of Salonlka.
CThe reported German ad-
vance is in the general area
where the Greek general staff
earlier declared the YugoSlavs
had withdrawn. exposing the left
flank of the Greek forces defend
Ing the Struma River Valley0
The city commands the stra-
logically vital Vardar River Valley
which leads to Salonika.
A German spokesman. declaring
there have been no clashes with
the British in this area, suggested.
'perhaps we will issue an official
invitation" to the British at Salonlka
to come out and fight.
Could Move on Albania.
In case of such an invitation" "
the German line of march would
be down the Vardar Valley toward
Salonika, thus skirting more diff
cult terrain. military observers said.
Or. it was said. the Germans could
disregard the British for the time
being and drive west and southwest
from Skoplje to Join the Italians in
Albania.
Dienst aus Deutschland, author
itative German commentary. said
the latter move would separate the
Greek forces from the bulk of the
Yugoslav Army.
The Germans said they were ad-
vancing at the rate of % miles a
day. so the question of whether they
will go south or west will be an
swered soon.
Nazi Say Drive Continues.
Earlier, the German high COM
mand said the drive was continuing
despite adverse conditions.
The German air force, which as
sisted the ground troops in taking
the Serbian border and bunker fortl-
fcations, military circles said. later
turned its attention to the hinter-
land.
Bombers harassed widely meshed
rail network, derailing and destroy
ing troop trains, blasting freight
trains and toppling railroad bridges,
1t was stated.
These circles said the destruction
of Yugoslav planes in the air and
on the ground was important strate-
gically because Serbia has no plane
production of her own and depends
IN irnports. which are difficult now"
Two Tasks for Army.
It was recalled here that one year
ago this month the Germans were
engaged in their Norwegian cam
paign. This time the German army
has two jobs, German sources said.
First, not only to beat the British
expeditionary corps but to fully de-
stroy it," And second, with this
destruction, to see that Britain S
lifeline through the Mediterranean
and Suez Canal is finally settled
Despite numerous terrain diff
culties and destruction OF roaoS,
German troops attack on the Ser
bian and Greek front, against tough
enemy resistance, was effectively
continued" the daily war bulletin
said.
Despite unfavorable weather the
air force yesterday made rolling at
tacks on military objectives and
Belgrade Notifications, dropping in
eendiaries and explosives"
So Planes Claimed.
Sixty-three opposing planes were
listed as destroyed in yesterdays
operations-2O in air fights over
Yugoslavia, "a on the ground, 5 in
air fights with British planes and
4 by anti-aircraft on the western
front.
Germany will have to issue a for
NAL invitation for the British to
fight in the southeast" said Ger
man spokesman Our army there
is looking for them, but has not
encountered the British so far
I'VE met them in Africa, but there
they are running from our panzer
outfit"
Axis armies. on further swift ad-
vance in North Africa, were reported
by informed German sources to have
met the British in repeated skirm-
'ishes and to have forced them back.
Gan official Italian announcement
claimed recapture of the Libyan
port of Derna)
Belgrade Station Hit.
New damage to Belgrade's main |
railroad station by the LuftWaffe's !
repeated air assaults was claimed |
by the communique, as we'll as direct !
hits on transport and fuel trains
and heavy damage to railroad |
bridges. stations and tracks along |
the Sava River.
In the air war against Britain,
German sources said a power plant |
in the port of Harwich. on the |
English east coast. was hit directly |
and that a Rolls-Royce factory also
was hit in bomb attacks on other
points.
The high command enumerated
(See GERMANS, Page ABB