- Contributed byÌý
- Albert Soulsby
- People in story:Ìý
- Northern Albert
- Location of story:Ìý
- Greece
- Background to story:Ìý
- Army
- Article ID:Ìý
- A3914110
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 18 April 2005
Handing over of a town (Officials, Greece, December 1st 1944)
It was 1944 and we had quite a surprise when we found ourselves clambering up the side of an old 1914-1918 battleship named Averof (Greek Flag Ship) and setting out to sea for the relief of Greece. Our armoured vehicles were left behind, and we had officials aboard.
We landed at Piraeus the port of Athens. No trouble — the Germans had scarpered. We put up in a school building for a few days. The word went out that the colonel had announced that the regiment would split up — HQ to the Peloponnees, another to an island, another to Athens, another to Solonica and the change over after a certain time.
I went with HQ and crossed the Corinth Canal into the centre of the Peloponnees and stayed there for a period, but trouble loomed up in Athens (the various warring parties) so we had to get out quick and the petrol was destroyed.
We headed for Athens on to a Dirty Trawler and made out way back to Athens. We joined C. Squadron and held post and waited till it was all over. All our armour was brought back, including tanks.
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