EVACUATION OF GREECE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 30 April 1941, Page 7

EVACUATION OF GREECE

“Many of Our Troops fa ' Have Left” ’ STATEMENT BY MR FADDEN ; (USITED PEBSB ASSOCIATION—COFraiGHT.) (Received April 30, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 29. ’ Many of the Imperial troops have now left Greece. News of this-Avas given this morning in Sydney by the Acting-Prime Minister of Australia (Mr A. W. Fadden) after a meeting of the Federal War Cabinet. “The evacuation of Greece is proceeding,” he said. “The Imperial forces have conducted themselves with great heroism in the face of heavy enemy pressure, and many of our troops have now left Greece after stubbornly contesting the enemy’s advance, even to the last few inches of Greek soil. “Unfortunately, we cannot hope to avoid casualties and we must be prepared for them. “The nation will be told the full story at the earliest possible moment. Until then I know this country will wait with courage and resolution. I*’ 1 *’ United States reports, according to an earlier message, say that most of the Anzacs have been safely evacuated, with their weapons. The Australian Minister for the Army (Mr P. C. Spender), who yesterday announced that the evacuation had begun, would neither confirm nor deny these reports. The London “Evening Standard” end of the withdrawal few were withBys: “No officia! statement is likely in aircraft numyet about the evacuation from Greece, E ers enabled- them to dive-bomb the but there is dvery prospect that a sub- roads, and smash ports to which reinstantial proportion of the force has forcements might have been sent, reached safety. Transports cannot use Royal Air Force aeroplanes played wireless without giving away their an heroic part in the retreat, but could position. to the enemy, and, conse- not protect transport on the roads, ouenfly, the numbers -aboard cannot Transport columns were bombed bebe radioed. Therefore, no definite tween 40 and 50 times a day, and news can be expected until the whole drivers had to leave 'their vehicles to operation is complete.” take cover every 10 minutes or so. A first-hand account of the rear- When Larissa was being defended guard- action fought by the Anzacs has one Australian brigade had to be sent been given by Mr Chester' Wilmot, of to the left of the line to assist the the Australian Broadcasting Corpora- Greeks, and another over to the right lion. ; He states that for more than a to aid the New Zealand forces. When fortnight the Anzacs held up the ad- the Anzacs withdrew to the hills bevance of ari onemy superior in num- hind the plain, a diun n of 8000 shells bers, tanks, and aeroplanes. In spite was established for the batteries of of that superiority, the Anzac line was 251b guns. ... never broken or penetrated. As the Germans advanced into range Fighting by day and withdrawing the artillery opened fire, and for eight by night, with their lines of commun- hours about a round a minute was icatioii Wasted continuously by Ger- fired by 21 guns, in the heaviest barman ’ dive-bombers, the Anzac forces rage of the war. Although bombed, held v back the enemy advance in shelled, and machine-gunned, the gunGreece for two and a half weeks. The ners held their position until their last men were without sleep, and at the shell was fired.