Greetings from Greece

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 510, 1 April 1949, Page 20

Greetings from Greece

Mer 4GES of appreciation and greetings continue to be received by the shortwave division of the NZBS from tremote corners of the earth. Though the New Zealand shortwave transmissions ate designed to serve the Pacific area only, it is apparent from the letter printed below that at least one of them is being heard at good strength as far away. as Greece, where New Zealanders are still remembered with affection. The letter weis received a few days ago by the NZBS.

IR,-Some weeks ago I heard for the first time the Voice of New Zealand |in my radio receiver. It was a great | pleasure to listen to the Voice of this /remote country so beloved by the Greek | people because in this country we con'sider the New Zealanders as brothers _in arms. We shall never forget the common struggles against the aggressors in World War II. A real feeling of friendship was born in the hearts of the Greek people for the New Zealanders during the last years. I myself made some acquaintances with brave officers and men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces during the war of Italy against Greece. Even in the dark years of the enemy occupation of this country I was in touch with some hidden New Zealanders. I still remember the story about a New Zealander who was hidden in Markopoulon, a little town 20 miles from Athens. He was protected by the Mayor of this town, which was crowded by a regiment of Italian forces. This New Zealander was provided by the Mayor ~ith an identity card of Greek citizenship. So the well-protected soldier for a long time was selling cigar-, ettes in Markopoulon and Athens under the noses of Germans and Italians. I forget the name of that soldier, but I know now that he is safe back in his country.

There are a lot of stories like this and we know that everything we made to protect our friends consisted simply our duty. We feel a great gratitude for the people of New Zealand, who are continuing to help us even after our liberation. With the above few words I am trying to explain the great pleasure I feel every morning when at 7.0 a.m. (G.M.T.) I tune to ZL3 and listen to a bird singing followed by the announcement about your transmissions. The best reception in this country of your transmission is from §.W. station ZL3 (25m.); transmission from ZL4 (19m.) is partly destroyed by a Russian S.W. station broadcasting on the same frequency. This morning of February 20 I was enjoyed with Don Giovanni of Mozart transmitted from ZL3. Be sure that I always shall be in touch with ZL3 listening to this friendly Voice from New Zealand. I will be very grateful if you send me the schedule of your transmissions and some details about your shortwave stations. Please accept my friendly greetings. Friendly yours,

GEORGE

MENTZELOPOULOS

ens).