The battle for Greece & Crete.pdf - Army Museum of South Australia
The battle for Greece & Crete.pdf - Army Museum of South Australia The battle for Greece & Crete.pdf - Army Museum of South Australia
Informed the Colonel regarding Cpl Pearce’s patrol in the early hours of that morning and there hadbeen no contact with NZ or any other troops on that road. Informed from NZ BHQ Volos, Col Rodgersconcurred and requested that such intelligence be sent to Brig. Lee. Sgt Finch, Cpl Pearce left at 0730hrs for Volos BHQ with instructions to proceed to Brig. Lee, Domokos. Sgt Finch, Cpl Pearce returned,their task completed.Lamia 18 April 1941: The volume of traffic from North to south very light. Members of Companypatrolling roads from Domokos to South side of Bralos Pass. At all times being subjected to machinegunning. Received intelligence from Brig. Lee that he expected to retire from his position betweenmidnight and 0300hrs on 18/19 th . At 1745hrs head of, Lee Force, column passed through Lamiatownship on way South. 1810hrs straight road from Lamia town to Bralos Pass subjected to intensebombing and machine gunning attack. Several vehicles damaged and slight delay. OC of conveyinstructed that under the circumstances continue whilst being attacked by enemy.All vehicles of Lee Force were cleared of the township of Lamia and the straight road without furtherloss. At 1900hrs vehicles of Lee force, successfully negotiating roads at the Bralos Pass. At 1905hrscontacted Brig. Lee, who reported all his men were clear. At 1915hrs, L/Cpls Swinfield, Hurst, Clarke,Laughton, and McPherson reported, that all troops and vehicles were clear from the pass, North ofLamia, through Lamia, and along the straight road. At 1920hrs members of this Coy, present when airbridge along the road from Bralos Pass to Lamia was destroyed.Liaouklade Railway Station and AuSup seen to be on fire, several culverts and a bridge on coast roadrear Lamia destroyed. At 1930hrs two very light lights were observed, South of the Lamia township,signifying the arrival of the German troops along the Volos Road. At 2015hrs Capt. Grimshaw, SgtHarris, Finch, Walton,, Cpl Delaney, Swinfield, Pearce Hurst, Barrington, Smith left position at foot ofBralos Pass on way south to locate Corps or force HQ. At 2025hrs and anti-tank gun opened fire, froma position half way up the Bralos Mountain in the direction of Lamia.From Bralos Pass proceeded to Thebes, stayed overnight.Thebes 19 April 1941: Fine. Windy. Contacted Force HQ 12 miles from Thebes along Chalkis Road.Moved entire Coy to camp site adjoining Force HQ. Chalkis Road bombed and machine gunned. Coywear, rested remained of the day.Thebes 20 April 1941: Fine. Convoy and Point Duty Patrols on duty all day and night. Roadscontinuously bombed and machine gunned throughout day.Thebes 21 April 1941: Fine and windy. Convoy and Point duty Patrols day and night. Chalkisbombed daily.Thebes 22 April 1941: Remainder of Coy and camp moved to pine forest, one kilometre from town at2330hrs.Thebes 23 April 1941: Fine and Windy. Patrols and Point Duty Men posted. Delayed action and HEbombs dropped on Thebes Railway Station. Took over complete traffic control from CMP at 2030hrsRSM and remainder of Coy, not detailed on duty, sent to evacuation point, “D” beach. Capt Grimshaw,Sgt Harris, Cpl Finch, Delaney, George,, Sgt Maddern, Cpl, Pearce, Batenby, L/Cps Potts and McEvoy,Mallyon and Barnes. These are the men who remained on duty in and around Thebes, until all troopsand convoys had been safely conducted through the town. Delayed action bombs exploding throughoutthe night. The party left Thebes at 0230hrs for evacuation point, “D” beach.April 24 1941: Made camp in Olive Grove, 12 miles from evacuation point. Porto Rafts “D” Beach.Remained hidden all day. Too late for evacuation that night.- 30 -
April 25 1941: Fine. Remained hidden all day. Informed no evacuation that night.April 26 1941: Fine and windy. Remained hidden till 1600hrs, then removed remainder to a spotabout three miles from beach. 1730hrs took over custody of two prisoners suspected of fifth columnactivities. Three men detailed for duty on beach. At 2115hrs remaining personnel and prisonersmoved down to the beach.April 27 1941: Still on beach, prisoners handed over at 0100hrs FSP. Embarked 0230hrs on HMT“Salween” and moved from “D” Beach at 0300hrs.Award of Military CrossIt was during the withdrawal at Lamia where Provost Officer Captain J.S Grimshaw won the MilitaryCross for his part in this action. It was conferred by Major General Herring Commanding 7 AustralianDivision.The Citation of Award for NX12506 Captain John Spillard Grimshaw reads as follows:“During the period 16-17 April at Lamia and 24-26 April at ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches to the east of AthensCaptain Grimshaw, by sheer force of character, calm efficiency and personal example was a source ofinspiration for his own men. At Lamia he imposed discipline and orderly continuous movement ofvehicles within the area under his control, whilst directing traffic during periods of heavy air attacks.At ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches his direction of traffic was of a high standard and materially affected thenumber of vehicles which were evacuated from these beaches”.Map showing area described in War Diary of 7 th Division Provost Company- 31 -
- Page 1 and 2: THE BATTLEFORGREECE AND CRETEMatt W
- Page 3 and 4: The German Invasion Force- Strength
- Page 5 and 6: PrefaceIf one wishes to examine par
- Page 7 and 8: Dissentions about the campaignMany
- Page 9 and 10: This bond which developed between t
- Page 11 and 12: Recollections of a Greek Youth a Pa
- Page 13 and 14: AthensApril20 th Nurses____________
- Page 15 and 16: The GreeksGeneral Alexander Papagos
- Page 17 and 18: The RAAF in GreeceVery little infor
- Page 19 and 20: Crete was considered to be of strat
- Page 21 and 22: Troops were to be dispersed to the
- Page 23 and 24: The evacuation Beachat Sfakia (Stak
- Page 25 and 26: At 6.45 am on the 20 th May 1941 th
- Page 27 and 28: The PlayersAustraliaBrigadier Georg
- Page 29 and 30: On one occasion on the submarine HM
- Page 31 and 32: The march throughout was an exceedi
- Page 33: Extract from the War Diary of 7 th
- Page 37 and 38: On the 20 th the Hospital ship Oba
- Page 39 and 40: The route taken by Paul Cullen duri
- Page 41 and 42: 42 nd Street gained importance in t
- Page 43 and 44: Australian Units who served in Gree
- Page 45 and 46: List of some of the ships involved
- Page 47 and 48: CruiserHelle (sunk)SubmarinePapantk
- Page 49 and 50: Service details of some of the Mili
- Page 51 and 52: The grave of L/Cpl BarnesPlaques in
- Page 53 and 54: 7 th Division Provost CompanyPerson
- Page 55 and 56: BibliographyAustralian Corps of Sig
April 25 1941: Fine. Remained hidden all day. In<strong>for</strong>med no evacuation that night.April 26 1941: Fine and windy. Remained hidden till 1600hrs, then removed remainder to a spotabout three miles from beach. 1730hrs took over custody <strong>of</strong> two prisoners suspected <strong>of</strong> fifth columnactivities. Three men detailed <strong>for</strong> duty on beach. At 2115hrs remaining personnel and prisonersmoved down to the beach.April 27 1941: Still on beach, prisoners handed over at 0100hrs FSP. Embarked 0230hrs on HMT“Salween” and moved from “D” Beach at 0300hrs.Award <strong>of</strong> Military CrossIt was during the withdrawal at Lamia where Provost Officer Captain J.S Grimshaw won the MilitaryCross <strong>for</strong> his part in this action. It was conferred by Major General Herring Commanding 7 <strong>Australia</strong>nDivision.<strong>The</strong> Citation <strong>of</strong> Award <strong>for</strong> NX12506 Captain John Spillard Grimshaw reads as follows:“During the period 16-17 April at Lamia and 24-26 April at ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches to the east <strong>of</strong> AthensCaptain Grimshaw, by sheer <strong>for</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> character, calm efficiency and personal example was a source <strong>of</strong>inspiration <strong>for</strong> his own men. At Lamia he imposed discipline and orderly continuous movement <strong>of</strong>vehicles within the area under his control, whilst directing traffic during periods <strong>of</strong> heavy air attacks.At ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches his direction <strong>of</strong> traffic was <strong>of</strong> a high standard and materially affected thenumber <strong>of</strong> vehicles which were evacuated from these beaches”.Map showing area described in War Diary <strong>of</strong> 7 th Division Provost Company- 31 -
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