Evening star., 1948-01-08
Greece Places Order
For 10000 British
Rifles, Ammunition
BY the A.seeiotsd Press

ATHENS, Jan. 8.-Maj. Gen.
William G. Livesay, chief of thee
American military mission in
Greece, disclosed today that the
Greek government has ordered,
10000 rifles and necessary ammuni-
ton from England to arm an aug
mented Greek national guard.
The cost, amounting to $1,000 900,
will be paid from frozen foreign
exchange of Greek citizens in Brit
ain, he said.
The United States, through its
aid mission, approved an increase
in the size of the national guard
earlier this week from 10000 men
to $4,000 men. The army is to be.
increased from 10000 to 1872 900
men and freed of its security duties
in order to concentrate on seeking
out and attacking Communist guer-
rillas.
Lauds Greek Soldiers.
Gen. Livesay told q news confer
ence he had been making a study Of
the situation and actions of the
Greek Army for six months.
"All I've seen," he said, indicates
the Greek soldier is good and can
defeat the bandits. This has been
confirmed at Metsovon recently and
now at Konitsa."
Queen Frederika reached Konitsa
yesterday and received an ovation
from the Greek Army garrison
which withstood a week-long at
tempt by the rebels to seize the
town as a capital for Greek Com
munist state. She brought the con-
gratulations Of the King, who is i'll.
| Discussing the Greek Army's
equipment, Gen. Livesay said:
This was sufficient. but the situ-
alton has changed. The rebel bands
have become greater in size and
are we'll organized. This will make
necessary change in our plans"
He said he would approve pro-
posal that the Greek Army be given
mountain artillery and machine
guns. 1t was learned that the chief
of staff of the Greek Air Force re-
Gently asked for American anti
aircraft guns but had been turned
down. Military informants said it
was possible the guerrillas might
launch air attacks soon from land
ing strips in the northern noun
tains of Greece.
More U. s. Officers Awaited.
Gen. Livesay said 75-mm. guns
and mortars are included in the
weapons to be given the Greek
Army.
The military mission chief said 20
additional American officers, includ-
! ing a brigadier general Of the Air
Force, are expected to arrive soon
in Greece.
Concerning the formation Of q
Greek national guard, Gen. Livesay
said this depends on how fast
equipment is forthcoming. Usually
it takes three months between the
time Of the order and its arrival" ="
He disclosed that 80 special COM
panies Of selected Greek Army men
loo to 120 to company-have
been organized. The men all have
had amphibious warfare training.
The British military mission still
is responsible for the organization
and training of the Greek Army and
not for operations" Gen. Livesay
said. "The relationship between the
American and British missions is
friendly. We work together closely,
with complete understanding, and
will continue to do So"
Rebels Retreat Further.
On the fighting front in the north,
guerrilla forces retreated from the
Lithari Heights north Of Konitsa,
possibly with view to still fur
ther withdrawal in the direction Of
Mount Grammos, press dispatches
said. Reports from Ioannina said
the battle for Konitsa, which the
guerrillas sought as capital for the
Communist-proclaimed state, was
definitely over.
Dispatches to Athens newspapers
said some of the artillery which had
been pounding Konitsa during the
siege by the guerrillas was with
i