EMPIRE FORCES BEGIN TO LEAVE GREECE

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 5

EMPIRE FORCES BEGIN TO LEAVE GREECE

EVACUATION SUCCESSFUL SO FAR (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.)’ LONDON, April 28. An announcement that the evacuation of certain Empire forces from Greece had begun was made in Sydney today by the Australian Minister of the Army, Mr P. C. Spender. Mr Spender said the evacuation, as far as it had proceeded, was successful. German troops are reported to be pouring into Athens and the Adolf Hitler Division, the 100 per cent. Nordic unit, which has suffered heavily in Greece, is reported to have pushed across the Gulf of Patros. It is stated that the Greek Air Force will continue the struggle against the Germans and that the Greek merchant marine has been placed at the disposal of the Allies. The last independent messages from Athens say that most of the British troops left the Athens district on Friday amid moving scenes. Cheering crowds shouted: “Au revoir.” It is reliably reported in Ankara that the Germans have occupied Mitylene and Chios, presumably by plane and parachute. Chios has been a landing place for British and foreign refugees in all sorts of craft from Greece. The Turkish newspapers today for the first time are openly discussing the German menace, especially the threat inherent in the occupation of the Aegean islands. Ikdam says: “The British used Lemnos during the last war to cut off the Dardanelles and threaten Turkey. There is a great resemblance in the German occupation. The Germans will use torpedo-boats, cutting off Britain and Turkey.” Vatan, discussing the prospective German demands says: “There will be no compromise and no yielding, but resistance to all demands. Our Government is prepared to accept even the smallest demands as a declaration of war.”

Reports say that the occupation of Lemnos and Mitylene enables the Germans to ship war materials to Greece and the Dodecanese through the Dardanelles. Two vessels have already passed to the Aegean. Some astonishment is expressed that the British did not occupy the islands and forestall the Germans.

A message from Sofia says Bulgarian troops have occupied Florina, Veles, Prilep and Monastir.