N.Z. OFFICER IN ATHENS

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 5

N.Z. OFFICER IN ATHENS

Attached To Greek Brigade (Official Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) ATHENS, December 12. At least one New Zealander is actively concerned in the pitched battles of the Greek civil war now being fought in the Athens area. He is Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Aken, of Rotorua, who for some time has been serving as liason officer with the Greek Mountain' Brigade. His acquaintance with Athens has been a long one. On Black Sunday (April 27, 1941) he had the strange experience of dodging down Athens’ streets when the Nazi flag was already flying from the Acropolis. His own New Zealand brigade was then 30 miles away at Markopoulon and Porto Rafti, waiting for darkness and the Royal Navy. He escaped at length to rejoin the division for most of its subsequent fighting. POSTED TO GREEKS When the Greek brigade came under New Zealand command, LieutenantColonel Aken was posted to his present duties. He was with the Greeks when they fought so well at Rimini. Soon after that he marched with the brigade through the streets of Athens. Then, a week ago, the trouble started. The formation, which here is referred to as the Rimini brigade, had for some time been a bone of contention in long wrangles concerning the handing in of the arms and equipment of the guerrilla forces.

Actually, it was intended the brigade should form the nucleus of a national army. It was, and is, under suspicion by Leftists as being solidly Royalist and its disbandment was demanded. Though brigade members undoubtedly have a passionate interest in Greek politics, they have behaved unquestionably as members of an efficient fighting force and charges of political activity are quite baseless. LOYAL TO GOVERNMENT The Rimini brigade can be regarded as a loyal servant of the Government in the fierce civil war which EAM and ELAS have precipitated. The battles of yesterday and today have shown the sterling fighting qualities of the men of the mountain brigade. Yesterday they staved off a threat to the city by the elimination of large bodies of ELAS troops on the hills north-east of Goudhi barracks. Today they again launched an attack on ELAS held territory. Tanks and armoured cars crept round behind the rebels and the Greek soldiers have sprung the trap by attacking directly against the positions. PRISONERS CAPTURED The battle was still going on this afternoon when I visited the brigade, but already 200 prisoners have been taken. Men of the brigade have become even keener since they learned from prisoners that ELAS troops have announced that their intention was to eliminate the mountain brigade.