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Our Committee is raising funds to create a lasting legacy telling the story of Lemnos' link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzac story. Our projects include the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the publication of a major new historical and pictorial publication and more. To make a donation you can also deposit directly by direct debit into the Committee's bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Bank: Bendigo Bank; Account No: 188010037; BSB No: 633000; Include your surname in the reference section. For further information on our legacy projects or to make a donation please contact either Lee Tarlamis 0411553009 or Jim Claven 0409402388M

Sunday, 24 April 2016

25 April 1941 - Lemnos occupied and major Allied evacuations commence from Greece - Porto Rafti and Nafplio

Anzacs awaiting embarkation from Greece at Megara, April 1941. AWM
On this day 75 years ago, today James Zampelis and his unit - 2/2 Field Regiment - departed from Megara on mainland Greece for Crete.
The Germans occupied the Island of Lemnos on this day, Anzac Day 1941 - the former base for the Allied Gallipoli campaign in 1915.
German troops marching through Myrina, Lemnos' capital, 25 April 1941.
Allied Commander, General Wilson and his Headquarters arrive at Miloi from Athens.
Allied troops begin the evacuation of the Greek mainland.
5,700 troops, including Anzacs, are evacuated from Porto Rafti by HMS Glengoyle and HMS Calcutta.
6,685 troops are evacuated from Nafplio - the first capital of an independent Greece - by HMT Ulster Prince (which was then damaged and had to be abandoned), HMS Glenearn, HMS Pheobe, and HMS Hyacinth - and the Australian ships HMAS Voyager and HMAS Stuart.
The few remaining Royal Air Force airplanes in Greece are evacuated.

 Australian Unit Locations - 25th April
16th Brigade HQ - Miloi
17th Brigade HQ - Kalamata
19th Brigade HQ - Megara
2/1st Battalion - Kalamata
2/2nd Battalion - Miloi
2/3rd Battalion -Karatiane
2/4th Battalion - Megara
2/5th Battalion - Argos
2/6th Battalion - Corinth
2/7th Battalion - Miloi
2/8th Battalion - Miloi
2/11th Battalion - Megara
2/1st Machine Gun Battalion - Argos
Thanks to Paul Sougleris of Greek Anzacs for his information on unit locations drawn from the official unit dairies.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
& Member, Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council 

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