EVACUATION FROM GREECE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27961, 7 May 1956, Page 7

EVACUATION FROM GREECE

GREEK SHIPMASTER’S RECOLLECTIONS DESIRE TO MEET FORMER N.Z. SOLDIERS When his ship was in Auckland last month. Captain G. Hadjilias, master of the cargo ship Neptune, made it known that he would like to meet members of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were evacuated from Greece in the ship Julia in May, 1941. Captain Hadjilias was chief officer of the Julia, which took 2000 Australians, New Zealanders and Cypriots from Piraeus to Crete. On the voyage, the ship was attacked by enemy aircraft. As a result of the appeal. Captain Hadjilias has already met three New Zealanders who travelled on the Julia. The Neptune is now at Lyttelton. Captain Hadjilias told a reporter that he met two of the men in Auckland and one at Timaru. Another former member of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., Mr R. O. Eagles, of 9 Princess street, Devonport, Auckland, wrote to him but was unable to meet him. Messrs F. S. W. Webb, of 515 Mount Albert road. Auckland, and HR. Scarlett, of 318 Main highway, Ellerslie, Auckland, visited Captain Hadjilias aboard the Neptune. When the Neptune was at Timaru last week. Mr H. Thomas, of 29 Ingestre street, Wanganui, called upon Captain Hadjilias. Mr Thomas is a steward in a coastal vessel. After the evacuation of Crete. Mr Thomas was taken prisoner during an action near Bardia, in Africa. Most of the troops evacuated by the Julia were Australians, said Captain Hadjilias. A formation of seven enemy planes attacked the ship. After the first sweep over the ship, the troops opened fire with their smallarms and kept the planes well up. No damage was done to the ship, but two soldiers were wounded. After disembarking the troops at Crete, the Julia was sunk by enemy air attack. The Neptune will leave Lyttelton on Wednesday for DunediQ and Eluff. Captain Hadjilias is anxious to meet any other New Zealanders who travelled with him in the Julia.