Lemnos and WW2 - A story of Occupation and Liberation

German troops marching through the capital of Lemnos, Myrina, 1941. Web

October is an important month in Hellenic military history. It is the month that many Islands were liberated and joined to Greece in the Balkan War of 1912-13. And it is the months of Oxi Day in 1940. However October is also the month in 1944 when the Greek Resistance, Hellenic Army and other Allied forces combined to expel the Axis (and overwhelmingly German) forces that had occupied Greece since May 1941.
To illustrate this liberation, I have written two stories on the experience of one Island - the Island of Lemnos.

HMS Argonaut. web

For so it was on Lemnos in October 1944 that a combined Allied, Hellenic and Resistance force confronted the Germans who had occupied the Island for four years and liberated the Island. The liberation would include the British Royal Navy warship, HMS Argonaut.
To read and download the story of Lemnos' occupation, click here.
To read and download the story of Lemnos' liberation, click here.
Alternatively, you can read the on-line versions at the Neos Kosmos website:
Lemnos' occupation - click here.
Lemnos' liberation - click here. 

Greek Sacred Squadron and Liberation memorial, Myrina, Lemnos. Photo Jim Claven 2015

I have been generously assisted in producing these articles by those who witnessed it and their families. I acknowledge the work of Lemnos historian Aristides Tsotroudis on Lemnos’ occupation and liberation. I am indebted to Angelo Kalomiris and Chris Mingos from Kontias, Nikolaos and his daughters Liza and Haroula Koutsaplis from Tsimandria, as well as Dimitris Boulotis, for sharing their memories with me.
Anyone with more stories of the occupation and liberation of Lemnos should contact Jim Claven via email – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Anders Lassen - The Achilles of Thessaloniki - Honoured in Melbourne

Overhead Still by Jim Claven 2017

Last night members of the Committee took part in a unique commemorative event at Melbourne's Danish Consulate. This was to honour the service of the famous Danish soldier Major Anders Lassen VC, MC and 2 Bars and his role in the liberation of Greece and especially Thessaloniki in WW2.

Mr Iakovos Garivaldis, Mr Ross Alatsas, Mr Bill Papastergiadis, His Excellency Mr Tom Nørring,Danish Ambassador to Australia, his wife Claudia, Lucinda Ravnholt and Danish Honorary Consul General Mr Jan Ravnholt. Photo Jim Claven 2017

This was the first time that Hellenes and Danes had come together in Melbourne - and possibly in the world - to commemorative the service of Anders Lassen.

Danish Honorary Consul General Jan Ravnholt welcomed everyone to the Danish Consulate and we all enjoyed a combination of Danish and Greek hospitality, including traditional music from the Melbourniotes band.

The crowd welcome by Greek and Danish hospitality – including the sound of traditional Greek music by the Melbourniotes band. Photo Jim Claven 2017

Photo Kostas Deves 2017

Photo SBS 2017

Photo SBS 2017

Photo Kostas Deves 2017

Photo Kostas Deves 2017

Photo Jim Claven 2017

Members of Melbourne’s Pan Korinthian and Pan Argoliki associations congratulate Paul Mavroudis and Mr Tony Tosourdalakis on the presentation. Photo Jenny Krasopoulaki 2017

Over 100 guests attended, including the Danish Ambassador to Australia - Mr Tom Norring and his wife Claudia, Ms Maria Gidarakos representing the Hellenic Consul in Melbourne, Mr Bill Papastergiadis President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria and Mr Ross Alatsas, Deputy Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, representatives of various service and community organizations as well as many from Melbourne's Danish and Hellenic communities. 

Photo Jim Claven 2017

Also in attendance were Ms Judith Gunnarson and Ms Deb Stewart, descendants of Lemnos Nursing Sister Evelyn Hutt. Ms Gunnarson also spent a major part of our life living in Scandinavia. Other members of our Committee who were able to attend were our President Lee Tarlamis, Mr Ange Kenos (who is also President of the Essendon RSL) and Mr John Salpigitidis.

His Excellency Danish Ambassador to Australia Mr Tom Nørring and Danish Honorary Consul General Mr Jan Ravnholt with Ms Judith Gunnarson and Deb Stewart, descendants of Anzac Nursing Sister Evelyn Hutt. Photo Jim Claven 2017

It was an honour to make my historical presentation on the service of Anders to such a distinquished crowd. 

Mr Paul Mavroudis (left) and Mr Tony Tsourdalakis (right) make their presentation of the Anders Lassen Memorial plaque to His Excellency Danish Ambassador to Australia Tom Nørring. Photo Andrew Higgins 2017.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Anders Lassen Memorial Plaque by Melbourne's Thessaloniki Association and the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council, which was accepted by the Danish Ambassador and Consul.

Mr Paul Mavroudis (left) and Mr Tony Tsourdalakis (right) make their presentation of the Anders Lassen Memorial plaque to His Excellency Danish Ambassador to Australia Tom Nørring. Photo Andrew Higgins 2017.

The Plaque will be displayed in the Danish Consulate in Melbourne at Denmark House.

Anders Lassen Memorial Plaque

Mr Lee Tarlamis, President of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee (third from left) and Mr Tony Tsourdalakis, Secretary of the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council (at right), make a presentation to Danish Honorary Consul General in Melbourne Mr Ravnholt and His Excellency the Danish Ambassador to Australia Mr Nørring, with Mr Paul Mavroudis at left. Photo Kostas Deves 2017

Mr Lee Tarlamis, President of our Committee took the opportunity to present the Danish Ambassador to Australian His Excellency Mr Tom Norring with our Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Statue Unveiling booklet and one of Commemorative badges, in conjunction with a book presentation by Mr Tony Tsourdalakis on behalf of the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council.
Great to work with our Danish Honorary Consul General in Melbourne, Mr Jan Ravnholt, Mr Paul Mavroudis and Iakovos Garivaldis of Melbourne's Thessaloniki Association 'The White Tower' and Mr Antonis Tsourdalakis of the Melbourne Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council in putting on this event. Congratulations to all involved. 

Various attendees, including Mrs Maria Gidarakos, representing the Greek Consul-General in Melbourne (fourth from left) join with Danish Honorary Consul General Mr Jan Ranvolt and His Excellency Danish Ambassador to Australia Tom Nørring and their partners in celebrating the gifting of the Anders Lassen Memorial plaque. Photo Kostas Deves 2017.

Hopefully this will be part of an annual collaboration between Melbourne's Danish and Hellenic communities.

The event is part of both the annual Melbourne-Thessaloniki Sister-City celebrations as well as the annual program of the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Committee.

To read more about Anders Lassen, click here.

Photo SBS 2017

Jim Claven
Secretary, Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
Member, Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council