SPLENDID PART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1941, Page 5

SPLENDID PART

TAKEN BY ALL SERVICES DURING WITHDRAWAL FROM GREECE AT LEAST 48,000 MEN SAFE. BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT. At least four-fifths, or 48,000 men of the Imperial expeditionary force in Greece have been safely evacuated to an area where they can continue to take an active part in the war, it is revealed in a lengthy statement by the Cairo general headquarters. It describes the difficulties of the embarkation, the splendid part taken by all the Services, and the men’s continued high morale. This communique states: “When it became obvious that the resistance of the Greek army to the German invasion was at an end the Government of Greece requested that the Empire contingent which had been sent to its help should be withdrawn from Greece. At this time Empire troops were in close contact with the enemy in the Thermoplyae position after the withdrawal from the more forward positions. “The enemy, by the employment of greatly superior numbers, had obtained complete control and command in the air and by repeated attacks made unusuable the one available good port —Piraeus. Consequently, the re-em-barkation had to take place from open beaches against continuous enemy pressure on land and heavy and repeated attacks from the air. “In such circumstances the withdrawal of a large number of troops can only be effected at the cost of heavy losses in vehicles and equipment, while the rearguards which cover this withdrawal may have to sacrifice themselves to secure the re-embarkation of the others. The re-embarkation of the personnel of the Empire forces in Greece has been taking place in most difficult conditions. “The full results have not yet been given, but at least 80 per cent, of the original force have already been safely convoyed to an area where they can undertake further active employment.” “This operation,” the communique continues, “has only been possible as the result of the great skill and devotion of all the three Services. “The rearguards who covered the withdrawal have imposed on the enemy a slow and cautious advance in spite of his great superiority in numbers. "The Navy and Merchant Service have shown great courage and devotion in face of sustained air attacks against the ports and beaches where the embarkation has taken place. “Though very heavily outnumbered, our aircraft have played their part, both by providing some measure of protection to the ships during their passage and in conveying key personnel from Greece. ‘lt is noteworthy that, in spite of the heavy fighting they have been through and the trying experience of re-embarkation under such conditions, the troops which have returned from Greece are entirely unperturbed by the struggle against such odds and convinced of their superiority over the Germans, both as individuals and as units and formations. The successful withdrawal of so large a proportion of these invaluable troops in a noteworthy achievement. “The troops have retained all their fighting equipment as well as their fighting spirit, and the heavy equipment and transport which has been lost will soon be replaced.”

KING OF GREECE NOT RECOGNISED BY NAZIS. PUPPET GOVERNMENT WANTED. (Received This Day. 9.30 a.m.) ZURICH. May I. According to Berlin official circles, King George of Greece is not recognised as a representative of Greece. He is regarded as an ordinary fugitive. Germany will recognise the newlyformed Greek Government provided it agrees with the fullest collaboration with Germany's war needs.