EPIC TALES ARE TOLD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 4

EPIC TALES ARE TOLD

Withdrawal From Greece Resource And Daring Of New Zealanders Thrilling Adventures And Hairbreadth Escapes (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 6. The courageous leadership and determination displayed by small parties that escaped successfully from'beaches where the Nazis were in control before the evacuation was complete, will fill the hearts of those at home with pride in the resourcefulness and daring of their soldiers. The whole of the organised withdrawals from the Greek shore were a triumph, but it is only natural that they should be overshadowed for sheer drama by the adventure of little groups of men who refused to surrender and, after hairbreadth escapes, were picked up by the ever vigilant Navy from small boats. “We were waiting in the bush for nightfall when we heard the sound of an engine which at first resembled that of another Nazi raider, but which soon could be distinguished as that of a truck. A sergeant and corporal went out to investigate. Before them was a grand new German car in which stood an officer in a blue uniform with a revolver in his hand,” said a machinegunner, relating the stirring experiences of a band of men. “Throw down your arms," cried the Nazi officer. One glance at him and the n.c.o.’s wheeled about and dived into the lane where the others were standing. Two revolver shots rang out, followed by bursts of machine-gun fire. The sergeant told them that the Nazis had broken through, and at the same time the German officer turned a Tommy-gun on them, as he spied them in the lane.

Challenge Defied Instead of surrendering, in less time than they realised, they were in full flight through the vineyards, bursting through cactus hedges, unconscious of the sharp pain inflicted by thorns. About half a mile away a little group collected and found that they numbered 22, including three officers. A decision was made to strike for the coast. There followed a tortuous journey through vineyards, sneaking along hedges and diving into ditches as German machines flew overhead, and finally plunging through a thick swamp for two and a half hours with water at times up to their waists; and always there was the thought in their minds that the Navy would not let them down.

“We reached the coast about a mile above a port to hear the sound of guns and learn from the Greeks that the Germans were there," added the machine-gunner. “With the aid of an interpreter we learned Of a fishing village some miles up the coast, where we might be able to get a boat, and we had someone to show us the way. We discarded all surplus gear and set out. As we drew near, an officer and two men went ahead while the rest crouched under the lee of a shingle bank, anxiously awaiting their return. About half an hour later one returned to lead us silently to the shore, where we found three boats waiting. Only two of us knew anything about sailing, so those in the biggest boat led the way with the others keepin” within hailing distance. A sergeant, who came from Bluff where he had worked on the oyster beds, took the tiller, setting a course by the stars. Progress was laboured as the men were not used to using heavy oars and the largest boat lost contact with the other two. About 3.30 a.m. we heard the hum of turbines and our spirits soared. So with the aid of a torch shielded by a steel helmet, we endeavoured to attract the attention of boats by an SOS, but a thick mist lay over the bay and we were not successful. Dawn was now fast approaching and we had to seek shelter, as Nazi 'planes would not hesitate to bomb and machine-gun us if we were found. We set a course for land and as day broke we stepped ashore, wet and weary, beached our boats and concealed ourselves in the scrub along the slopes of the bay, where we slept from sheer exhaustion. Soon, however, we were awakened oy the ’planes, and not long after another boat turned up containing six more New Zealanders, who had escaped from a port controlled by the Huns. They had heard the Huns had been driven out of the port, but we knew they could bring up reinforcements, so we did not decide to go back. Never have I known so long a day to pass, as we crouched there hiding from ’planes and the German troops that passed along the road above our hiding place. During the afternoon peasants brought us food and water, and their kindness was Unbounded. Much as we appreciated it, we lived in constant dread that they would betray us as they came and went. „ , Attempt to Reach Crete “We decided to mak,e an attempt to reach Crete. Three boats set out, again with makeshift sails and what food and water there was divided up. But the smaller boats forged ahead and were again lost. We carried on with the arrival of daylight and as the day drew on a burning sun shone from a cloudless sky on our open boat. Our spirits were high until, about 9 a.m., we heard an ominous drone in the sky and all save the man at the tiller crouched m the bottom of the boat, hoping that we would be mistaken for Greek fishing craft, as we were parallel to the coast about two miles out. Our luck was with us as we heard him a little later bombing the bay behind us. How many alarms -we had during the day I cannot recall, but none’came near enough to spot us. About mid-day we were forced to take to the oars. Infantrymen, cavalrymen and machine-gunners, all strangers a few days before, were now discussing our chances of success and cheering one another with goodnatured chaff. The hours dragged on but we never gave up hope, though the island we were steering for never seemed to get any closer. Between spells of rowing we dozed fitfully. Tne boat was leaking and we had to bale frequently. The Hum of Turbines "Shortly after 11 p.m. our dull senses were aroused to alert wakefulness by the hum of turbines, and we rested on our oars listening as the craft came nearer. In about ten minutes we could make out the shapes of three destroyers ploughing towards us. We had no doubt as to what flag they flew. Only one Navy was in these waters. We used our flash lamp with renewed hope. The circled around, ever getting nearer, a manoeuvre which we found out later was employed to make sure we were not a decoy. They were taking no risks, too, for their guns were trained on us. As we heard a hearty British hail we were safe at last. We scrambled up the netting on the side of the nearest destroyer and were soon drinking scalding hot cocoa and seeing the smiling faces of sailors who could not do enough for us. “A little later our rescuer went in towards land and picked up another 200 and as dawn arrived was forced to give up the search and head for port. We can never feel thankful enough to the marvellous British Navy, which more than justified all the faith we had in it.” Parachute Troops Land A party of Maoris that had been attached to Brigade for special duties described the landing of parachute troops which they witnessed south of the Corinth Canal. Our troops had

withdrawn across the Canal and were resting in a dispersed area, when suddenly clouds of bombers appeared in the sky. They circled over the area, bombing it constantly for nearly three hours. Then came huge troop-carry-ing 'planes which came down to 3000 feet and dropped parachute troops. Several parachutes failed to open, which was just too bad. However, hundreds did. Here and there was a red parachute about which the others gathered when they landed. Here and there shell holes which the bombers had made were used as machine-gun pits. Guns and ammunition had come down with the troops and these were used to cover the landing of huge carrier ’planes, which disgorged fully equipped troops and small armoured cars. Our small arms fire killed hundreds of Germans, but with most of our equipment already abandoned our troops could not cope with the sheer weight of numbers and the armament Which suddenly opposed them. They pulled out and continued the withdrawal, covered by the withering fire of our fighting rearguards. New Zealand troops who made a daylight withdrawal through the streets of Athens tell a moving story about the farewell given to them by the Greek people. As the convoy entered the city crowds were seen to be lining the streets. Taking no chances Bren guns were prepared for action. False tales have been spread about the Greek collapse. When the crowds began to shower the New Zealanders with flowers and cheer them, it was too much for some of our boys. With tears running down their cheeks they drove through the cheering crowds, who paid their respects to the heroes who had tried to save them from conquest at Olympus and Thermopylae. New Zealanders in Brilliant Action New Zealand artillery regiments carried out rearguard actions which are probably unique in artillery history. At Olympus field artillery units actually covered the retreat of the infantry. Overcoming tremendous odds, they got the guns out. Covering demolitions and amazing road blocks by New Zealand engineers made it possible to withdraw the guns to the Thermopylae area, south of Lamia. Under cover of night big 25-pound guns were withdrawn. They passed right through the infantry, who held up the Hun advance into Thessaly while they consolidated their new line in this Thermopylae area By performing brilliant leapfrogging tactics, the artillery were able to cover the withdrawal of our infantry into southern Greece, and at the same time managed to inflict tremendous German losses in tanks, motor equipment and personnel. Our big guns dominated an essential river crossing, preventing the reconstruction of a bridge which our engineers had alreadydestroyed. When our shells hit German tanks a stream of molten metal poured from the blazing wreck which remained. Again it was a question of a timed withdrawal, and, if our flanks could have been maintained, our guns could have held the German advance almost indefinitely. Forward guns were dragged back behind the second line of guns However, each leap back meant the loss of more guns. They were falling back on Athens and the time came for a last stand. Infantry protection for the guns was withdrawn and the guns were spiked, and the engineers carried out a brilliant series of demolitions and blocking tactics, which held up the advancing Huns and enabled the artillery to evacuate almost the whole of their remaining personnel. Generally speaking, the artilleiv “xsses were remarkably small for the work which they did and the nunishment they received from dive bombers. It must be borne in mind that throughout these operations German reconnaissance ’planes and spotting aircraft were able to hover unhindered over our gun positions.