Anglo-Anzac Rearguards Contest Every Step

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 99, 28 April 1941, Page 5

Anglo-Anzac Rearguards Contest Every Step

To Give Comrades Chance to Withdraw United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 11.35 p.m. ATHENS, April 27. The German advance guard entered Athens at 10 a.m. The British United Press correspondent at Athens says German advance guards entered Athens at 10 a.m. Mechanised forces followed and the swastika was hoisted on the Acropolis. An earlier message stated: “Hopelessly outnumbered with the Germans sweeping l in bshind them from the island of Euboea and others mercilessly driving on from Thebes and forcing their way to Athens along the Corinth Road the British and Anzac rearguards fought unfalteringly all day yesterday to give their comrades time to effect a withdrawal. To-day as the tattle surged to the very gates of Athens they continued to extract toll for every step of the German advance.” Details of the operations are scarce because Athens is cut off from the news of the fighting northward and communications to Peloponesus are irregular. It is announced in Athens that General Papagos has been relieved of his command at his own request. Greek broadcasts on Saturday night indicated that the people were being prepared for the country’s capitulation. The Athens announcer, after saying that there was no war communique and no news from the front, added: “Greeks, join hands. Shut Greece within you and live with the glory of our army. Greece will live again because she fought honestly for her rights and liberty.” The British Associated Press’ Athens correspondent says it is reliably reported that a New Zealand anti-tank unit wrecked 23 German tanks and repelled a Panzer attack near Mount Oeta, west of Thermopylae.