THE SECRETARY TO THE RUSSIAN PROTECTOR IN THINGS AND IN MORAVA, PRAGUE, inv. 1746, sig. 109-4/1501

Page 120

English Translation

- 8 - Albanian troops murmured in Lesch and fled. 01/ At the beginning of the Italian offensive, the German newspapers write that the advance had been stalled only because of the weather and the bad roads. Now, kx these bad roads do not seem to make any sense to the Italians in their rapid retreat. The Italians have already cleared Pogradez, 4o km north of Koritza, as well as Mospopolis. Argyrocastro is also on the move. The return road from Elbassan to Durazzo was attacked by Brit, bombers. The Greek army report reports: The advance continues on the whole front. The spoils of war grow hourly. At the Egyptian front in general calm. The troops of Grazianis have been established for two months now. Today the Italians tried two unfollowing attacks on "alta and one on Alexandria. Gayda wrote in Popolo d'Italia:"After the accession of Romania there will be a new offensive in Eastern Europe! The Germans and Italians must therefore let their troops fight further and further away from home in order to defeat England. e British Air Force today attacked Calais, ulogne, Cape Grinez and other gun positions on the coast. German activity was "ering today. Three German machines were reported to have been shot down by 10 p.m. Churchill sent a Glüclwünschtetelegram to Metaxas. At Sidi Barrani, the Italians lost ll Tanks in a five-hour battle. If Germany lets troops intervene in the Balkans, this will bring the greatest blow to the Italian prestige. German troops would have to go either through Bulgaria or Yugoslavia. Both countries will not like to see this, Yugoslavia will try to resist. It has seen what results in an occupation by German troops in Romania. Ital, radio has come into greatest confusion after the fall of Koritza. He now asserts that Italy has always truthfully reported and therefore also first announced to the world the eviction of Koritsa o Under great fanfare sounds the accession of Slovakia was announced today. So this puppet state has also formally joined the axis. While Hitler gives tea companies and Ribbentrop drives his cow trade, England is walking around. Hitler's impotence is clearly visible. Turkey has wisely imposed the state of siege over the European part of the country, it is determined to defend itself against any attack. Turkey is paying close attention to all the events in Bulgaria, as the Germans could march through this league to help Italy. Yugoslavia strengthens its relations with Turkey and seems determined to occur. Other countries in Europe are already beginning to find the situation strange. The Swedish press writes: In the past, the Aehse has made itself leusable about the diplomatic power of England and France. Now England is acting, while the axis is negotiating in its perplexity.The so-called New Year will soon lead to a collapse.