DEPARTURE FROM GREECE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23323, 8 May 1941, Page 3

DEPARTURE FROM GREECE

AUCKLAND BATTALION LEAVES BEACH CO OPERATION OF NAVY AND ARMY (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, .May 6. It was early in the morning, and a famous light cruiser lay out in the bay. The officer had a hurried look round just to make sure, and a small boat pulled out from the beach with the last of the New Zealand Division aboard—men of the Auckland Battalion who had acted as rearguard for the withdrawal. : Not one man had been left on that particular beach, and everything had gone like clockwork. The senior officer of the battalion said it could not have been better managed. . The day had been spent dispersed under cover well back from the shore, and when night came the transport found the men and set out for the beach, where everything was earned out in the darkness with the most commendable efficiency. Those in charge knew they had so many hours to complete their task, and set about getting the men aboard. Small naval boats came right in to the sand, were quickly loaded down to the gunwale, shoved off to the warship, and were back almost immediately for another load of soldiers. This went on through the midniaht hours without interference from the Luftwaffe, and as the time set for the operation to finish drew near, the numher waiting to be taken off had decreased to a mere handful. Finally the last boat put out into the bay 10 minutes after the specified time, and it was speedily hoisted on board. The ship started to move, and the outlines of the Greek shore soon faded into the night. Navy’s Skill The last rearguard action had been won, and the Navy had demonstrated once again that skill and daring can 'achieve much. It was a perfect illustration of the co-operation that worked so well on the beaches where the soldiers were evacuated. The New .Zealand Army had been deliberate in its plans. Once the motor transport had served its purpose it was run over into deep gullies, and there was nothing of value left behind for the Nazis. There was none of the abandon of a ‘ headlong retreat, and every- - thing went off as if the units had been on manoeuvres. Perhaps that is the secret of the small casualties suffered in this action, which was carried out over long distances. The men were certainly attacked from the air and bombed severely at times, but the losses were extraordinarily small for the effort expended by the enemy. One of our mobile units spent Anzac Day in an olive grove near a small bridge and the enemy must have suspected their presence, for,the grove was the target for bombers as long as daylight lasted. When night came and orders were received to move, there was not one absentee. • This is the kind of thing that gave the men courage. They knew they did not need to fear the Nazi aeroilanes, and there was no object in opening fire on them because it would only have betrayed their whereabouts. Excellent Discipline It was found that the Germans did not relish fighting at night, and in places where they hurled themselves against the New Zealand forces, regardless of risk, our machine-gunners were able to exact a terrible toll with ease. Examples of courage are without number, and above the standard of discipline .remained high, so-that the most difficult of manoeuvres were carried out without a hitch. Transport maintained a very close liaison with'the front line troops, and where speedy moves had to be carried out this was of tremendous assistance. The men of the New Zealand Division feel they have learned a great deal from their experiences in Greece, and it goes without saying that their bearing, always easy and confident, is to-day that of an army that has the measure of its foe and has no doubt that final victory will be its.