A GRACEFUL TRIBUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 73, 23 February 1945, Page 4

A GRACEFUL TRIBUTE.

A graceful tribute is contained in the suggestion of high ranking Greek officers that New Zealand, Australian, and British soldiers killed in lighting the German invaders in the Thermopylae region should be buried near the Spartans’ unique cemetery. The historic pass saw much bitter fighting in the brief struggle before the Greek army was compelled to yield before the Nazi storm. In fact, when the High Command of the Greek .Army under General Tsolakoglou surrendered British troops were still fighting in the pass, made famous by the gallant defence of Leonidas’s small force against the Persians. This famous King of Sparta in 480 13.fb. was sent with 7000 men to hold the pass against the army of Xerxes. He repulsed the Persians’ frontal attack but was trapped when the Persian General Hydarnes was led by a mountain track to the Greeks’ rear. Leonidas’s strategy in dividing his army failing, the gallant force with which he tried to hold the pass was cut down to a man, the Spartans showing superb bravery in the face of disaster. Leonidas died with his men and his head was cut off by order of Xerxes and his body crucified. His heroism has always had a unique place in martial history. The Greek people have an affectionate place in their regard for the men of Britain and her two Dominions who fell in her cause, and no greater tribute possibly could be paid to them than by putting the suggestion now made into effect.