Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Events from 14 April 1941

 The New Zealanders had an improvised ferry in place during the night of  14 April 1941. The ferry consisted of a "folding boat and a rope". The 26th Battalion held a two  mile front, facing north, on the right of the Australians. The boat was small enough that only three  men with equipment could be carried. By morning, there was still one company on the south side of the river, where they were stuck. To the left we saw the 2/4th Battalion. They were facing to the east. One of their companies was on top of a 3,000ft ridge on the right side. They had another company perched on a 4,000ft mountain "on the left, overlooking Kteni". This was allegedly the boundary between Greek and British forces. Of course, the Australians never saw any Greek toops. The remains of the 2/8th Battalion formed the reserve. 

"West of the main road, there was no bridge over the Aliakmon river." The New Zealand ferry was the only way across for now,. As long ago as 13 April, engineers were told to build a bridge over the Aliakmon. This would be built "on the flank of the 19th Brigade". The situation was precarious enough that the 19th Brigade wireless sets were unreliable. In one case, an officer had delivered a message by motorcyle, after he had swum the river. He had to ask a Greek soldier to "guide him to the Australian headquarters. 

By 15 April, General Blamey's corps was positioned "on the Olympus-Aliakmon line" with the exception of the 16th Brigade which was still moving into position to the right of the 4th New Zealand Brigade. This is based on the account in "Greece Crete and Syria" by Gavin Long.

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