On Tour - Greece and Crete 2019

We have now turned around at the top of Greece and are starting the withdrawal to the evacuation beaches as our force did in 1941, however, we will be travelling in style from our beach to Crete aboard a big ferry without the interference of the German Luftwaffe. Following the withdrawal off the Vevi position, a rear-guard, including the 2/4^th Battalion established itself at Sotier. After a short action there the force had a orderly withdrawal under cover of the tanks. As we passed through Ptolemais we discussed the actions of the Armoured Brigade against the German armour there who had tried to bypass the position that had been established forward of the Pass. It was here that the Armoured Brigade fought their finest battle in the only tank versus tank battle of the campaign which was a win for the Brigade and as the Germans had suffered heavily losses of their armour plus other armoured vehicles there was no follow up as the Brigadier withdrew his force. The Armoured Brigade was led by the 3^rd Royal Tanks, 4^th Hussars, 102 Anti-Tank Regt, 27 NZ Machine Gun Battalion and the Rangers. Mobility was the key and all the Brigade, including the anti-armour mounted on trucks raced to intercept, which they did and surprised the German Force.

Most of the losses to the Armoured Brigade was due to mechanical fatigue and those losses left the Brigade very depleted, but, they did a marvellous job. Due to mechanical faults mainly, the Armoured Brigade was very depleted but had done a marvellous job holding the rear guard. We then continued on our way towards Kozani before swinging East to Veria Pass. The Veria Pass was being held by 16 Brigade to cover any enemy incursions from that flank but as the main withdrawal had crossed the Aliakman River the Brigade started to withdraw off the high range, down into the valley and further to the crossing point over the river. It was an incredible feat to withdraw partly in the dark from such a high position by going straight over the top and then over the next range before dropping down again into the Aliakman Valley. the 2/1^st Machine Gun Battalion was in this group so Tim's father could have been with them. But with incredible endurance they walked the 55 kilometres and finally climbed into their new positions at Servia.

At the village near the top of the Pass we stopped for a coffee in the same café that we have visited in the past. As usually, we were welcomed by the couple who run the café and the dogs residing there then after giving the dogs some sausages we ordered our coffee and relaxed there while we finished our coffee. We then moved onto a position that had been occupied by our soldiers all those years ago and there was still indentations in the ground to show where there positions were. The scenery from there would have been magnificent but we were fogged in. I do feel those there in 1941 would not have noticed the view.

We retraced our steps to our lunch stop at Kesaria, which is on the very high ground overlooking the new bridge over the Aliakman Lake, we decided to move further through the Pass to visit the Monastery at Panagia Soumela where lies the ancient Icon of the Virgin Mary by Luke the Evangelist in AD380. Lunch was excellent as it always was and many of us had the trout, a good choice. The restaurant is located high above the lake and has views across to Servia and the Servia Pass. We will be travelling through the Pass tomorrow on our way to Platamon. Following lunch we headed out to Ano Komi where we were entertained by members of the village. A special welcome had been organised and we were fortunate to have the children of the village dance for us, it was beautiful and following that we spent the next few hours eating and dancing with the people of the villager. It was a great welcome. Lovely friendly people and I look forward to meeting then each year. Finally, he said our goodbyes and made our way back to our hotel for dinner. Tomorrow Mount Olympus, Platamona and the Aegean Sea.

Greece and Crete Tour 2019

Graham Fleeton.