BRITISH ARMY IN GREECE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 7

BRITISH ARMY IN GREECE

Forces From New Zealand And Australia

(UNITED PBBS3 ASSOCIATION—COPSrniOHT.)

(Received April 7,'8,30 p.m.)

LONDON, April 6.

British, Australian and New Zealand troops are now in Greece, and are standing in the line with their Greek allies.

The Rome radio to-night, quoting the Berlin radio, said that the forces have already been in action, putting up a tenacious resistance in the Struma Valley.

A special official communique, issued in London tp-night, confirms that British, Australian, and New Zealand troops are in Greece. Germany’s attack in the Balkans had brought to a head the long-threatened invasion, it stated. The British Government and the Dominion Governments had conferred, and British, Australian, and New Zealand troops were now standing in the line with the Greeks.

The communique also said that the Royal Air Force, which had been operating in Greece for some time, had beem considerably strengthened.

To-night’s British communique makes it clear that the British force has been in Greece for some time. Before the decision to send troops was made, all aspects of the problem were considered. General Sir John Dill, Chief of the Imperial Gen-' eral Staff, General Sir Archibald Wayell, Commander-in-chief of the British forces in the Middle East, and Mr Anthony Eden, the British Foreign Secretary, who were on the spot, submitted reports from their special missions, and were unanimous that help should be sent. The War Cabinet acted unanimously.

The transfer of the force to the Balkans must rank as one of the biggest jobs of its kind. The troopships were convoyed under the protection of Admiral Cunningham’s fortes, and gave a striking proof of Britain’s supremacy in the Mediterranean.

Fresh New Zealand and Australian troops, meanwhile, are pouring into Egypt, reinforcing the Army of the Nile, the correspondent says. The Istanbul correspondent of the British United Press states that travellers reaching Istanbul to-nighf on one of the last trains expected for some time from Greece state that British troops and war materials have been landed from huge'convoys, an 4 have moved up to the Jugoslav, Bulgarian, and Albanian . frontiers in Greece.

The force sent to the Balkans includes victorious troops from the Army of the Nile. This development gives an answer to the riddle of Benghazi, and It now becomes clear that General Wavell withdrew selected men from Libya, leaving the remaining forces to pick battle on their own ground. The Germans are desperately anxious to know how many men comprise the •force sent to the Balkans, but General Wavell is saying nothing. At the start of the German attack, the Greeks could with justification have said that they were too small, but they have preferred to fight on with British support. Before the war. it was known that Greece could not raise many more then 500,00Q fighting men. This shows the importance of tHeir receiving the utmost support in men, munitions, aeroplanes, and other supplies. British, New Zealand, and Australian soldiers were carried shoulder high through the main streets of Athens by cheering crowds, when news of the German invasion spread throughout the city. Crowds of demonstrators cried: “We will win!” to the Greek King, who smiled and waved to them.

Most of the troops, they say, are New Zealanders and Australians from Africa. Among them are many officers .who served on the Macedonian front in the last war. Travellers had to wait several days in Greece for a train because of troop movements. The German radio reports that the Royal Air Force flew into Jugoslavia at 4.4 a.m. torday, and have already taken over the Jugoslav ground organisation. British submarines, says the German report, have established bases at Kotor and Dubrovnik. A British Official Wireless message says: The arrival of British forces, including many from New Zealand and Australia, to help Greece in her fight against aggression, is welcomed by the people of Britain. There have been abundant signs that in his recent speech pledging support to Greece by every means in Britain’s power, Mr Churchill spoke for the entire nation, which has been deeply moved by the inspiring example of this small country’s successful resistance to unprovoked attack by a Power five times her own size. t The enthusiasm aroused m Britain by the heroic feats of the Greek troops has been shared by free peoples throughout the world and throughout the press of the Empire, in particular, the chivalry of Britain’s proved ally has been warmly applauded. While the recent visits of Mr Eden and General Sir John Dill are generally regarded as timely, it is, emphasised that such decisions as were made were reached only after a very careful weighing and appreciation of the situation reaching London from experts on the spot.

Half a dozen military hands appeared from nowhere, and played ‘‘Tipperary.” Crowds gathered outside the feritish, American, and Soviet Legations, and cheered for Mr Eden and Mr Roosevelt. The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that the British force in Greece totals 150,000, including seven full divisions. in addition to a great number of Royal Air Force engineers and other experts. A great many of these troops are in and round Salonika. Five British ships are arriving each day from Africa, loaded with men and materials. British troops have penetrated the Greek mainland northward to a line between Corfu and Volo. The British equipment , includes a vast quantity of anti-aircraft gups and antitank guns, great numbers of light and heavy tanks, and also flame-throw-ers. Manv shiploads of munitions have been landed at five ports.

Full account has been taken of the difficulties likely to be encountered, and complete confidence is felt in Britain’s ability to deal with all emergencies.

ASSISTANCE FOR JUGOSLAVIA'

BUPPWES FROM THE UNITED STATES

STATEMENT BY MR HULL (Received April 7, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 6. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), after conferring with Mr Roosevelt and officials of the State Department, said: “Another small nation has been assaulted by tk e forces of aggression! This is further proof that there is no geographical fion or boundary of any kind to their movement for world conquest. “The A 0161 '! 0311 people > have the greatest sympathy for the nation which has thus been outrageously attacked, and we follow closely the valiant struggle that the Jugoslavs are making to protect their homes and preserve their liberty. “The Government, with its policy of helping those defending themselves against would-be conquerors, is now proceeding as speedily as possible to sepd military and other supplies to Jugoslavia.” Mr IJull said he had instructed the American Minister in Belgrade (Mr A. B. Lane) to remain with the Jugoslav Government, leaving a senior Official in charge of the Belgrade Legation. The American Red Cross has announced that more than I,OQO,QOP dollars’ worth of medicines, blankets, and hospital, equipment is being shipped to Jugoslavia without delay. The equipment includes 10 complete field hospitals.