NO CONFIRMATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21821, 26 November 1940, Page 5

NO CONFIRMATION

New Zealand Troops In Greece By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 25, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. According to the Athens correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” warships landed a number of English and New Zealand airmen in a Greek harbour. The Athens correspondent of the “New York Times” states that warships landed the first contingent of British troops at a Greek port. The men received a tremendous ovation, particularly the kilted Highlanders. The following official statement was issued in Wellington to-night: “There lias been some mention to-day in 8.8. C. broadcasts of New Zealand troops being among those landed in Greece. < There is no authoritative information to hand upon the point, and if any such official information is received it will be made known immediately.” Mystery in Australia A message from Sydney states that mystery surrounds reports that Australian troops are in Greece. The Minister of the Army (Mr P. C. Spender) denied that A.I.F. men were landing at Athens. “It is possible, of course, that there may be a few details in Athens,” he added, “but I have' received no information. It is always possible that a few men might have been attached to the British forces for liaison or intelligence work, but there is no foundation for any suggestion that A.I.F. men are in Greece in anything like strength.” Mr Spender said he could not explain the authoritative reports that had been sent to London about the Australians being welcomed in Greece.