March 14, While German forces are establishing themselves in Bulgaria along the Greek and Turkish borders, "Mussolini is apparently taking the opportunity of endeavouring to save his face in Albania by a final counteroffensive against the Greeks, It is reported that he has actually been in Albania some days, apparently in the belief that his presence would have the effect of more certainly reviving the moral of the Halians than an; thing else. Since March 11 the eounterattack thas been proceeding. It appears to have been initially successful, especially in the centre of the front, but the Greeks are reported to have since' recaptured whatever ositfons fell into their enemy's hands for brief period. In these actions the RAF. were able {o render the Greeks valuable assistance and the results which were obtained at the outset of the Italo-Greekk war by Greek and British cooperation are being steadily maintained, How great is Mussolint's need for something in the nature of a face-saving, suees is demonstrated by the report from Budapest that he is personally directing the Mahan offensive, and flinging in everything a final attempt fo stem the Greek advance.
All accounts agree that the fighting is indeed desperate and that heavy Ttalian rein= foreements are going forward in support of this latest counter-offensive. Even Talian Blackshirt youths are being thrown into the fray. Without proper training, they are being. sent into a slaughter which is reported to have revolted at least one Greek officer, not knowing sufficient to keep out of machinegun cross fire and being mercilessly mown. down. The reckless slaughter of Italian youth, not old enough to be incorporated in the Italian armies, will undoubtedly not commend Mussolini fo any greater affection on the part of the Italians. His prestige is already seriously damaged and his own personal failure in Albania will go a long towards ending whatever respect the Italians a5 a whole may still have for him. If the Greeks continue as successful as they have
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.