THE MODERN GREEK IN WAR.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SrECTATOR...]
SIR,—May I beg of you kindly to spare space in your columns for the following synopsis from the report, just published, of the Greek General Staff, which, though confining itself to the bare statement of facts, may nevertheless be of interest to those of your readers who are following the course of events in the Balkans :— On October 5/18 the Greek army began operations by crossing the Thessalian frontier into Macedonia. It reached Salonica twenty-one days later, having covered a distance of 309 kilom., or an average of 15 kilom. per day, and this in spite of very severe weather and a formidably rugged region to be traversed. In the direction of Florina, on the other hand, it covered 454 kilom. in thirty-two days, or an average march of more than 14 kilom. daily. During this Macedonian campaign thirty battles were fought and won by the Greek troops, several of the engagements lasting more than one day, e.g., the battle of Yenitza (one and a half days) and that of Sarantaporo (four days). The result of these thirty battles was the capture of 45,090 prisoners, 120 cannon, 75,000 rifles, and a vast quantity of ammunition and other stores. We repeat that these remarkably rapid marches were accomplished under the most unfavourable conditions—bleak and inclement weather, almost impassable roads, rugged and precipitous mountain-passes which often doubled the distance, marshes, and three large rivers swollen by the continuous rains. In addition, the food supplies were frequently deficient owing to the great obstacles in transportation of stores.
During this time the Greek troops in Epirus fought ten battles, in all of which they were victorious, and have since then been continuously engaged in attacking one after another of the outer defences of Janina, which are almost impregnable natural strongholds, further fortified by the Turks.
In the meanwhile the Greek fleet took possession of several .2Egean islands, not without some bloodshed. On December 3116 its hopes of meeting and engaging the Turkish fleet, which up to that time had been in hiding inside the Dardanelles, were rewarded by an engagement within range of the Turkish forts which protect the Straits, resulting in a signal victory for the Greek fleet. Previously to this date it had protected the landing of the Bulgarian troops at Dedeagatz.
Thus within the space of little more than two months the Greek army and fleet have together fought and won more than forty battles, with a loss of some 15,000 men, of whom an unusually large proportion were officers. The above statistics speak for themselves. The Greek nation may well feel some satisfaction in the results of a campaign which is remarkable whether one considers the rapidity of the advance, the numbers of the forces engaged on both sides, the uninterrupted series of victories, or the difficulties presented by the character of the region and the climatic conditions.—I am, Sir, Stc., X.
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