N.Z. ARTILLERY AS REARGUARD

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 10

N.Z. ARTILLERY AS REARGUARD

Extraordinary Feat ENGINEERS’ FINE JOB IN RETREAT

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.)

CAIRO, May 6.

New Zealand artillery regiments at Olympus carried out rearguard actions which are probably unique in artillery history. Field artillery units actually covered the retreat of the infantry; then, overcoming tremendous odds, they got their guns out. Covering demolitions and amazing road blocks by the New Zealand engineers made it possible to withdraw the big 25-pound guns to the Thermopylae area, south of Lamia, under cover of night. They passed right through the infantry who had held up the Hun advance into Thessaly, while they consolidated their new line in this Thermopylae area by performing brilliant “leap-frogging” tactics. The artillery was able to cover the withdrawal of our infantry into southern Greece and at the same time managed to inflict tremendous German losses in tanks, motor equipment and personnel. Our big guns dominated an essential river crossing, preventing the reconstruction of a bridge which our engineers had already destroyed. When our shells hit the German tanks streams of molten metal poured from the blazing wrecks which remained. Guns Finally Spiked.

Again it was a question of a timed withdrawal, and if our flanks could have been maintained our guns could have held the German advance almost indefinitely. The forward guns were dragged back behind the second line of guns, however, and each leap back meant the loss of more guns. They were falling back on Athens, and the time came for the last stand.

Infantry protection for the guns was withdrawn, the guns were spiked and the engineers curried out a brilliant series of demolitions and blocking tactics, which held up the advancing Huns and enabled the artillery to evacuate almost the whole of their remaining personnel. Generally speaking, the artillery losses were remarkably small for the work which they did and the punishment they received from the divebombers. it must be borne in mind that throughout these operations German reconnaissance planes and spotting aircraft were able to hover unhindered over our guns’ positions.

MURDER OF WOUNDED AND CIVILIANS

Luftwaffe’s Brutal Record

In Greece

LONDON, May 0

The terrible destruction wrought in Greece by the German air attacks is detailed in an official statement issued by the Greek Government. The Luftwaffe bombed Greek cities and ports absolutely indiscriminately and converted towns and villages into smoking heaps of wreckage. Women, children, and the aged were machinegunned. Hospitals in Jannina were destroyed, burying patients, doctors, and nurses under the ruins.

More than .1000 civilians were killed at Larissa, where the German air force completed the work of the Italians and the earthquake. Two thousand out of a population of 18,000 were killed at Trikkala. which was razed. Lamia suffered similarly. Many other towns and ports were implacably bombed without the least: discrimination, causing heavy loss of life.

All the five Greek hospital ships were sunk, though they were unarmed and carried full lights at night and bore the regulation Red Cross marking. Survivors struggling in the sea were pitilessly machine-gunned. The Sinking of the Hellenis was particular ly flagrant, because she carried women and children, few of whom survived.

LOSSES OF GREEK WARSHIPS

Seven Destroyers Arrived

At Alexandria

LONDON. May 6.

A statement from Crete about the Greek navy shows that the Greek submarines have joined the British flee l nt Alexandria. Seven destroyers and two torpedo-boats are also safe. Three Greek destroyers went down fighting dozens of German bombers. Tiie remaining 11 torpedo-boats and about 30 auxiliary vessels were also lost.

ANZAC PRISONERS SEEN AT NISH

i lleceived May 7. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 6.

Tlie British United Press has received a message from a neutral correspondent in Yugoslavia who visited over 250 Anzac and British prisoners at Nish. All were well treated, tlie correspondent said.