"MOST MAGNIFICENT IN BRITISH HISTORY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 103, 3 May 1941, Page 9

"MOST MAGNIFICENT IN BRITISH HISTORY."

EMPIRE TROOPS. Always Superior To Nazi Soldiers. Initial I'ross AssiM-i.i t i"ii.—< *"i\ v risrlit. Roc. 1 p.m. LONDON, May 2. The evacuation of British Empire troops from Greece has been completed. A total of 13,000 troops have been accounted for. said Mr. P. C. Spender. Australian Minister for the Army, to-day. adding that there might be additions to the number already evacuated. Basing his statement on a report from General Sir Thomas Blarney, Deputy-Commander in Chief in the Middle East, who commanded the Anzac corps in Greece, Mr. Spender said the total Imperial forces—Australian, British and New Zealand— in Greece before the German attack was about 50.000. including 22.000 Australians and the New Zealand division.

The extent of the Australian casualties was not known, but the casualties among all the troops after the evacuation was estimated at not more than 500. The losses include about 3000, among them only a few Australians, who, although they reached the beach, could not be taken off. General Blarney's dispatch said it was likely that only a very small number of Australians were included, in the 3000.

Mr. Spender described the action fought by the Australian, British and New Zealand troops as unquestionably one of the most magnificent in the history of British arms. He paid high tribute to General Blarney's work. General Blarney had reported that the Anzacs were always superior to the Germans whenever they met under conditions at all reasonable. He added that all the nurses from Greece had arrived at Alexandria.

The calm orderliness which marked the evacuation from Greece (reports British Official Wireless) was again shown upon the troops' arrival at Egyptian ports, where they left transports and moved to the trains which were to take them to an unknown destination. They moved as if carrying out normal, routine operations.

The men were in fine trim, all ready and eager to meet "Jerry" again.

The Sunderland flying boats did wonderful work in evacuating R.A.F. personnel. As many as 85 men were carried on a single trip.