Anzacs Fight Epic Battle at Larissa

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 96, 23 April 1941, Page 7

Anzacs Fight Epic Battle at Larissa

MEN BREAK THROUGH RING OF TANKS LONDON, April 21. The epic of British, Australian, and New Zealand troops who fought their way from Larissa through a ring of German tanas and tommy guns was told to-day by the British United Press correspondent in Greece. Groups of Australians hiked for days and nights over snow-covered mountains and through gorges near Mount Olympus. Footsore and wearv. they fought on with melted snow for drinking water until they joined up with the New Zealanders, who had been fighting in defence of the seacoast pass eastward of Mount Olvmpu«. German tanks followed them. The Anzacs fought them off and then reached Larissa. The entire trek took more than a week. j The Germans rushed up mechanised j forces and surrounded the town with tanks. Some Eritish and Imperial troops were still defending Larissa when German infantry entered. Our men gave battle, which resulted in terrific street fighting. The Germans, usinit not only tanks where they could, but infantry with tommy guns, lay in wait for our troops at street corners. All around them the town was burning hr the result of repeated bombing from the air. The whole affair was one of the finest episodes of the war. A report that a large number ul Anzacs have been cut off is dls counted in well-informed quarters, although it is pointed out that, during the withdrawal, it was possible for some advanced units to have become separated from the main body.