Labor MPs Neumann, Georganas honour Australian forces who fought to defend Greece

·

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Shayne Neumann and Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas have marked the 80th anniversary since Australian forces took part in Allied efforts to defend Greece and Crete during the Second World War.  

Britain and Australia both felt that Greece should be supported against German invasion during the war and that the defence of Greece was a ‘great risk in a good cause’. 

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Shayne Neumann said that the 6th Division arrived in Greece in early April 1941 and on 6 April, the Germans began their invasion of Greece. 

“Despite their efforts, the Allied force, together with Greek units, was unable to halt the rapid German advance down central Greece towards Athens and more than 50,000 troops had to be evacuated,” Mr Neumann said. 

“It was a costly operation, with 320 Australia troops tragically killed and 2,065 becoming prisoners of war in the process. 

“After a month of intensive fighting, the Allied force was finally withdrawn from the Greek mainland on British and Australian warships and British transports. 

“Some soldiers were taken back to Egypt but many were put ashore on the island of Crete.”

Photo (L): Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas with one of the last surviving Australian veterans in Crete, for the 70th Commemoration of
the Batte of Crete, 2011

Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas said that Crete, which was a key strategic asset, subsequently fell in a similar way, with the Allies being overrun by the formidable German force.

“Together with Greek troops, the Allies formed ‘Creforce’ and prepared to meet the Germans, who came on 20 May in the shape of a major paratroop landing at three different places along the north coast of the island,” Mr Georganas said. 

“Despite vigorous opposition to the Germans, the Allied force eventually had to be withdrawn, once again by British and Australian warships after sustaining more than 1,700 killed, 2,000 wounded and 11,000 prisoners of war. 

“We honour the service and sacrifice of these brave men and we also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the thousands of locals who helped our troops survive.  

“Indeed, more than 450,000 Greeks sadly died during the following four years of German occupation, with almost 25,000 executed for assisting the Allies.”

More information about the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete can be found on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Alexander Marinis identified 14 months after body found in Queensland river

Queensland Police have identified a man found dead in the Maroochy River in November 2023 as 47-year-old Victorian man Alexander Marinis.

‘A little embarrassing’: Osaka reacts to Kyrgios watching her match at Wimbledon

Nick Kyrgios made a surprise appearance at Wimbledon this week - not on court, but courtside - sitting in the player box of Naomi Osaka.

Greece to ban adults sending children to buy tobacco

Greece is introducing strict new legislation aimed at protecting minors from tobacco and alcohol, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis announced.

Qantas hit by cyber attack, millions of customer records at risk

Qantas said a cyber attack on a third-party platform linked to one of its centres may have compromised data linked to six million customers.

Euronext makes bid for full acquisition of Athens Stock Exchange

Euronext, Europe’s largest stock exchange operator, has submitted an offer for the full takeover of the Athens Stock Exchange (Athex Group).

You May Also Like

Greek Australian Luka Lesson launches new verse novel on different types of love

Greek Australian poet and rapper, Luka Lesson, will launch his new verse novel, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, on Saturday, November 12.

Greek community calls on Merri-Bek Council to protect Sister City ties with Sparta

Councillor Katerine Theodosis has today called on fellow Merri-Bek Councillors to save Sparta’s Sister City Status.

Darwin’s Greek community marks Independence Day with wreath laying and school celebration

The Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia marked Greek Independence Day with a school celebration and wreath laying ceremony.