Evening star., 1947-12-26
Greeks BATTLING
Attacking Force
South Of Albania
Police Also Roundup
500 in Red-Inspired
Assassination Plot
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

ATHENS, Dec. 26.-Guerrilla
forces opened heavy attacks
south of the Albanian border to-
day in what military experts
said was an attempt to expand
territorial holdings for the newly
proclaimed Communist state
within Northern Greece.
More than 500 persons have been
arrested by Greek authorities in
the Athens area since the procla-
nation of the state by Gen. Markos
Vifiades. leader of the antigovern-
ment Communist forces in the
northern fighting zones.
The guerrillas attacked $500
strong south of Ioannina and sliced
Greek Army supply lines to Epirus.
Two guerrilla brigades and two
additional battalions launched a
heavy attack yesterday at Konitsa.
covering the assault with a heavy
barrage of mortar and artillery fire.
An Army communique said they
were held back with very heavy
losses"
Plane Is Driven OFF.
Forty miles to the west, at Phili-
ates, fierce action was reported
under way today between strong
force of guerrillas and army troops.
Reports on the action were sketchy.
Press reports said a plane with
Yugoslav air force markings, re-
connoitering over the area, was
driven off by Greek fighters.
Greek Army reinforcements were
being rushed to defense points in
the fighting zones.
War Minister George Stratos flew
to Konitsa, only few miles south
of the Albanian border, to take per-
sonal charge of the operations.
Meanwhile, police announced they
had rounded up 500 persons in con-
nection with a Communist-inspired
plot to assassinate a number of
prominent Greek politicians, includ-
ing former Premier Stylianos
Gonatas.
About $50 persons were arrested
in Athens and Piraeus, while an
other hunderd were reported seized
in Klphissia suburb of Athens.
Attackers From Albania.
An official announcement regard
ing the Konitsa fighting said the
bulk of the attacking force came
from Albania, while the remainder
was made up of small guerrilla
bands from the surrounding hills.
BY 3 pm. yesterday the attackers
had dropped $50 shells into Konitsa.
The brigadier commanding the Ko-
nitsa garrison was among those
wounded. The army said that, al
though the garrison was taken by
surprise, not one attacker set foot
in the town.
Another guerrilla force stimuli
taneously attacked the Bourazani
Bridge, northwest of Konitsa, and
took it. The bridge has consider
able strategic Importance.
Unable to Find Headquarters.
Greek forces, who have searched
diligently for the last 72 hours.
confess they are still in the dark
as to the location of Markos' head
quarters.
Army leaders say they wish the
41-year-old Communist general"
would define his free territory within
Greek borders SO they would get at
him. Military officials assert that
Markos could not hold any given
area for 48 hours
The omission of Communist Lead
er Nicholas zachariades from the
insurgent government" has caused
some speculation, but most political
observers here believe the Moscow
trained Zachariades is the actual
boss.
| John Ioannides, who is deputy
Prime Minister of the Communist
state and in charge of police and
security, is regarded as second only
to lachariades in the party. loan
hides reputedly heads the party's
entire underground system.
Recognition Predicted.
Greek Premier Themlstokles So
phoulis predicted that the insur-
gent state probably would be recog-
nized by Albania, Yugoslavia and
Bulgaria.
7 CThe Paris press forecast that
! the Soviet satellite states would
recognize the Communist state
"a move interpreted as opening
/ the way for more aid to the
| guerrillas from those countries.
(The French papers said the
United States assumed "heavy
responsibility" in further aid to
! the regime in Athens.
MOSCOW newspapers carried
brief Tass dispatches from
| Athens announcing the forma-
(See GREEK. Page A-5D