Gree ( Successes
The campaigns in Libya and in Albania are closely inter- connected. At the start our Egyptian offensive was delayed by the need of sending aid quickly to Greece ; but when the time came to make the great attack on Sidi Barrani the Italian preoccupation with the Greek front was favourable to the British commander. Libya then engrossed the first attention of the Italians, and the disaster they suffered there, which included heavy losses in aeroplanes, led them to transfer most of their Albanian force to the Libyan front: The Greeks have benefited from this transference, most of the Italian air operations in Albania being now conducted by the Metropolitan Air Force flying from the Italian mainland, with the result that in the north-eastern sector of the Albanian front the Greeks have the advantage in the air. Italian supply-vessels starting from Adriatic ports, whether bound for Albania or Libya, are now exposed to attack at sea in the Adriatic itself. On Tuesday four such supply-ships were sunk by a British warship which had passed through the straits. The Italians, of course, are not unable to reinforce the Albanian front. They have been sending fresh troops, and have attempted counter- attacks in the Tepelini and Klissura districts, but without success. Meantime the Greeks are pressing on steadily north of Himara, and have captured heights near the Logara Pass, which the Italians apparently are preparing to defend. In this region a thousand prisoners, including a whole battalion, have been taken by the Greeks. It is clear that the fighting on the road to Valona is of a serious character, as is proved by the Italians' preparation of a defence-line north of the town.
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