N.Z. Officer Leads First Liberation Of Greek Territory

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1944, Page 3

N.Z. Officer Leads First Liberation Of Greek Territory

LONDON. October 3 rpHE BRITISH UNITED PRESS X CAIRO CORRESPONDENT SAYS THAT NEW ZEALAND TROOPS LEFT BEHIND IN CRETE DURING THE 1945 EVACUATION ARE HELPING CRETAN GUERILLAS TO HARASS THE GERMANS, WHO ARE TRYING TO EVACUATE,

British commandos were landed an Kythera Island on September 29 by British and Canadian navies in the first liberation of Greek territory since the German invasion in the spring of 1940, says a correspondent of the British United Press with the landing force. The commandos went ashore unopposed. Greek partisans welcoming them said that the Germans withdrew during last week, but were still present in force in the Peloponnesus, just across the channel. A New Zealand officer was in charge of fhe operation. Wholesale Evacuation German troops have completely evacuated the Moera area of Greece, according to reliable reports reaching here, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press. Only a few troops were left there to keep open the escape route from Athens to Central Europe. There is every indication that the Germans are> preparing' to block Corinth Canal. The Germans have completely evacuated the islands of Chios, Mitylebc, Leukas, Cephalonika, Kythere and Zante. The Germans have also left Eastern Crete and all enemy forces are concentrated around Suda Bay at the western end of the island. They are awaiting evacuation which can only be carried out at night by air. R.A.F. planes are out every night waiting to pounce on evacuation planes.

Beaufighters operating from Eastern Mediterranean bases last night destroyed a Hoinkel 111 over the Central Aegean states a Middle East air communique. During the past week, Beaufighters hit hard at enemy air movements in tinAegean Sea. A Cairo message states that it is iimported that, the Germans are trying to block the Corinth Canal, and they are still thinning out their forces on the mainland of Greece, harassed by active guerilla bands. They are desperately attempting to pull out, principally by air. The R.A.F. is taking big toll of enemy transport aircraft, and has made evacuation by sea virtually impossible, except for odd caiques plying between the islands. Local Greek administration is functioning smoothly in freed islands.