GREEK MINISTERS VISIT WAR ZONE IN EPIRUS (JANUARY 1948)

GREEK MINISTERS VISIT WAR ZONE IN EPIRUS (JANUARY 1948)
LARGE SCALE BATTLE RAGING BETWEEN GREEK ROYAL ARMY AND REBELS

In KALPAKI (EPIRUS) On 1 January 1948, After the relief of Konitza by 2,000 infantry of the 8th Greek Mountain Division or LOK the rebels withdrew north-east towards the Grammos mountains. The town was entered after the Aoos river had been crossed by means of a narrow Turkish footbridge on the south east outskirts which was still held by the Greek garrison. Other Greek forces who advanced on the left of the road from Kalpaki had reached the Aoos river first, but they found the Bourazani bridge destroyed by the Greek Communist rebels. Rebel units were still on the high ground on the other side of the river in this sector, and were still harassing the efforts of the Greeks to erect a Bailey bridge. The river has been rendered unfordable by heavy rains. A plan to drop three companies by parachute in Konitza had been abandoned .

INCESSANT RAIN
The incessant rain prevented the use of aircraft 'and was hindering the pursuit of the rebels, whose main forces seem once again to be escaping destruction. The Greek divisional commander, however, declared that morning that the losses of the rebels during the week had been very heavy. A particularly costly engagement for them was their last unsuccessful attack on the Prophetes Elias mountain over hanging Konitza to the south, which they attempted to capture just before the relief of the town. All foreign military observers had agreed that all the Greek forces had that week fought magnificently and their morale was higher than ever. Their artillery fire has been singularly accurate, and the infantry have shown no hesitation in storming heights against heavy fire. The Royal Hellenic Airforce had made a great contribution and must take credit for many of the casualties inflicted. The few Spitfire pilots have flown dozens of strafing sorties daily, in conditions made difficult by clouds hanging low in valleys between mountains over 5,OOOft. high. All ranks displayed a realization that if Konitza were taken by the Greek rebels it would be a serious victory for the Slav Communist bloc and disturbing to the morale of the Greek people. On the other hand the defeat of the rebels in that battle was a great encouragement. The difficulty now was to keep contact and bring the rebel forces to battle again.

FIGHTING GHOSTS
The fighting this week has been over exactly the territory where in the first days of Novem- ber, 1940, the Italians were stopped and driven back into Albania. But on that occasion the Greeks were able to Pursue the enemy and defeat them repeatedly. The Greek Royal Army has always been at its best when on the offensive but then the attack could not be followed up because the enemy disappears. As one soldier put it the Greeks are used to fighting Powers many times their size, but this time they are fighting ghosts. As for the rebels, they had shown in those recent battles in Epirus that their movements were now directed by expert military staff officers according to a plan which General Markos and his fellow political commissars could scarcely have worked out. The old guerrilla tactics were abandoned in what appeared to be a determined effort of the Communists to take Konitza and possibly the whole of Epirus. The United Nations Balkan commission team was moving up to Konitza to examine the latest evidence of outside interference in the rebellion. Yesterday they interrogated two captured rebels and two villagers who had fled in terror from their homes near the Albanian border. All four testified that the rebels, preparatory to these recent battles, had crossed the Albanian frontier with ammunition and supplies.

MARKOS'S CALL TO THE GREEK COMMUNIST REBELS TO INTENSIFY ITS EFFORTS AGAINST GREECE

BELGRADE, Jan. 1 General Markos, the Greek Communist guerrilla leader, issued a New Year proclamation broadcast by the " Free Democratic radio station of Greece," according to Tanjug, the Yugoslav News Agency today. The proclamation declared: "The democratic army, under the leadership of the provisional democratic Government, will strike still harder in 1948 at the Greek Royalist forces. The year 1948 will be one of glory and of success. Soldiers, you will fulfil your sacred duty. I am calling you to show your new fighting spirit, to double your efforts, to strengthen your blows at the enemy and not to leave this enemy a moment of peace. All for victory."


NEWSREEL SUMMARY:At Jannina, shots of ministers talking (silent) with air commanders. Several shots wrecked bridge(done by rebels), Troops on march & riding on horseback leave Kalpaki. Several GVs of mountains, & surrounding terrain. Ministers leave tent. Also leave H.Q. Ministers with commanders watch air attack on rebels at Gravala. Mr.Stratos, the chief minister, being War Minister.