HIGH COURAGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 107, 8 May 1941, Page 16

HIGH COURAGE

DOMINION TROOPS

GREEK CAMPAIGN

RESOURCEFUL AND DARING

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Servlte.) CAIRO, May 6. Courageous leadership and the determination displayed by smalt parties that escaped successfully from beaches where Nazis were in control before the evacuation, of the New Zealand forces from Greece was complete will fill the hearts of those at home with pride in the resourcefulness and daring of their soldiers. While the organised withdrawals from the GreeK snore were a triumph, it is only natural that they should be overshadowed for sheer drama by the adventures of little groups of men who rerused to surrender and after hair-breadth escapes were picked up by the evqr vigilant Navy from small b'>ats. "We were waiting in the butJi for nightfall when we heard the sound ot an engine, which at first resembled that of another Nazi raider, but soon could be distinguished as that of a truck." said a machine-gunner relating the stirring experiences of a band of men. "A sergeant and a corporal went out to investigate. Before them was a brand new German car. in which stood an officer in a blue uniform with a revolver in his hand." "Throw down your arms," cried the Nazi officer. One glance at him and the n.c.o.'s wheeled about and dived into the lane where the others were standing. Two revolver shots rang out, followed by bursts of machine-gun fire. The sergeant told them that the Nazis had broken through and at tne same time the German officer turned a tommy gun on them as he spied them in the lane. Instead of surrendering, in less time than they realised they were in full flight through vineyards, bursting through cactus hedges unconscious of the sharp pain inflicted by the thorns. About half a mile away the little group collected and found they numbered 22, including three officers. A decision was made to strike for the coast. There followed a tortuous journey through vineyards, sneaking along hedges, and diving into ditches as German machines flew overhead, and finally plunging into a thick swamp for two and a-half hours with water at tunes up to their watet.

Surplus Gear Discarded "We reached the coast about a mile above a port to hear the sound of guns and learn from Greeks that the Germans were there," added the machine-gunner. "With the aid of an interpreter we learned of a fishing village some miles up the coast where we might be able to get a boat, and we had someone to show "us the way. We discarded all surplus gear and set out. "As we drew near an officer and two men went ahead, while the rest crouched under the* lee of a shingle ba*ik anxiously awaiting their return. About half an hour later one returned to lead us silently to the shore where we found three boats waiting. Only two of us knew anything about sailing, so those in the biggest boat led the way with the others keeping within hailing distance. "A sergeant who came from Bluff. where he had worked on oyster beds, took the tiller, setting a course by the stars. Progress was laboured, as the men were not used to using heavy oars and the largest boat lost contact with the other two. "At about half-past three in the morning we heard the hum of turbines and our spirits soared," continues the narrative, "so with the aid of-a torch shielded by a steel helmet we endeavoured to attract the attention of boats by the 5.0.5., but a thick mist lay over the bay and we were not successful. "Dawn was now fast approaching and we had to seek shelter, as Nazi aeroplanes would not hesitate to bomb and machine-gun us if we were found. We set a course for land and as day broke stepped ashore, wet and weary, beached our boats and concealed ourselves in scrub along the slopes of the bay where we slept from sheer exhaustion. "Soon, however, we were awakened by aeroplanes and not long after another boat turned up containing six more New zealancers, who had escaped from a port controlled by the Huns.

Greek Peasants , Kindness "Never have I known so long a day to pass as we crouched there hiding from aeroplanes and German | troops that passed along the road above our hiding place. During the afternoon peasants brought us food j and water and their kindness t was unbounded. Much as we appreciated it, we lived in constant dread that they would betray us as they came and went. "We decided to make an attempt to reach Crete," said the machinegunner. "Three boats set out again with makeshift sails and what food and water there was divided up, but the smaller boats forged ahead and were again lost. We carried on with the arrival of daylight and as the day drew oh a burning sun shone from a cloudless sky on our open boat. "Our spirits were high until about 9 a.m. We heard an ominous jdrone in the sky and all save the man at the tiller crouched in the bottom of the boat, hoping we would be mistaken for a Greek fishing craft, as we were parallel to the coast, about two miles off. Our luck was with us, as we heard him a little later bombing a bay behind us. How many alarms we had during the day I cannot recall, but none came near enough to spot us. ! "About midday we were forced to take to the oars. Infantry/nen, cavalrymen and machine-gunners, all strangers a few days before, were now;discussihg oar chances of success and cheering one another v/ith good-natured chaff. The hours dragged on, but we never gave. up j hope, although the island we were ' steering for never seemed to get any [ closer. Between spells of rowing we I dozed fitfully. The boat was leaking and we had to bale frequently.

Faith in Xavy Justified "Shortly after 11 p.m. our uull senses were aroused to alert wakefulness by the hum of turbines and we rested on the oars, listening as the craft came nearer. In about 10 minutes we could make out the shapes of three destroyers ploughing toward us. We had no doubt ss to what flag they flew; only one navywas in these waters. We used our flash lamp with renewed hope. The boats circled around, ever getting nearer, a manoeuvre which we found out later was employed to '"lake sure we were not a iicvoy. They were taking no risks, too. for their gvins were trained on us. "As we heard a hearty I"!ril!.--h hail we were safe at iasr. We scrambled up a netting o , i tho side of the nearest destroyer and v ere soon drinking scalding hot cn.'oa and seeing the smiling faces of sailors who could not do enouah for us. A little later our rescuer went in toward the land and picked up another 200, and as dawn arrived was forced to give up the search and head for port. We can neve- feel thankful enough to the marvellous British Navy, which more than justified oil the faith we had in it.' :