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Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, 1) Post WW11. .2) 1940-45
... . In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed.... In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed ...John MURPHY VX15580 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 26.2.1940 age 28 years 5 months. Posted to 2/7th Bn on 6.4.1940 and embarked for the Middle East on 15.4.1940, embarked for Greece 9.4.1941 and returned from there in June 1941. Embarked for Australia on 8.3.1942 and disembarked Ceylon 7.4.1942 and did not re embark until 12.7.1942 and arrived in Australia 4.8.1942. Transfers to 2nd Aust Tank W/Shops AEME on 3.10.1942 and then 2/4th Aust Base W/Shops, discharged from the Army on 3.10.1945. In the Greece and Crete campaigns the 2/7th Bn was essentially destroyed and it was rebuilt from a small core in Palestine in Garrison duties and then in Ceylon before returning to Australia..1)Medal set, brass plate mounted , group of (5) re .J. Murphy 1.1939 -45 star 2. Africa star 3. Defence medal 4. War medal 1939 -45 5. Australian service medal .2) Ribbon , single "Africa Star" with pins uniform attachment"VX15580 J Murphy"numismatics- medals - military, metalcraft -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Framed Information Sheet, H.M.A.S Perth, Circa 9140s
... berthed in Malta. Perth evacuated troops from Greece to Crete when... berthed in Malta. Perth evacuated troops from Greece to Crete when ...At the outbreak of war in 1939 Perth was serving in the West Indies. She served with distinction at Cape Matapan against Italy. Perth suffered damage from an air attack while berthed in Malta. Perth evacuated troops from Greece to Crete when Crete was invaded by the Germans When Japan entered the war in December 1941 Perth was sent to Java in the Dutch East Indies - now Indonesia. Perth's total complement was 681, of these 353 including Captain Hector Waller D.S.O were lost in action, 4 died ashore and 324 fell into Japanese hands. Of these 106 ratings died while prisoners of war, 53 dying while working on the Burma - Thailand railway.Framed Information sheet with description of specifications - crew numbers and service record of H.M.A.S Perth.H.M.A.S Perth (ex H.M.S Amphion). A Light Cruiser Leander Class 1941 of 7600 tons. Under full power speed trials reached 31.7 knots. Perth was commissioned as H.M.S Amphion on 15th June 1936 and was renamed H.M.A.S Perth by H.R.H Duchess of Kent on 10th July 1939. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Letter - POW LETTER, 17.7.1944
... for Greece 31.3.1941, reported missing Crete date unknown, officially... for Greece 31.3.1941, reported missing Crete date unknown, officially ...Stalag 344 was a German POW camp near Lambsdorf in Silesia. Douglas GRANT VX8604 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 23.11.1939 age 33 years 7 months. Posted to the 2/8th Bn on 5.12.1939, embarked for the Middle East on 14.4.1940, disembarked 18.5.1940, embarked for Greece 31.3.1941, reported missing Crete date unknown, officially reported POW 27.10.1941 Stalag V11A. He was also in Stalag 8B before Stalag 344. He arrived in the U.K on 8.5.1945, embarked for Australia 30.5.1945 arriving 7.7.1945. He was hospitalised with Depression and Anxiety State and classed Medically unfit and was discharged from the Army on 13.5.1946. Refer also Cat No 1092P.German post card letter with heading at the top: Kriegsgelangenenpost. The letter folds in 3, the front printed with space for address to, the rear same for the sender. Inside are ruled lines for a letter. A letter in pencil dated Mar 10th and signed by Doug. A small section of the start is missing. A sticker in red states: Opened by Censor.documents - letters, military history - army, pow, grant -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Induction of first Junior Legatee into Melbourne Legacy, 1943
... in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action... in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action ...The photo shows a Junior Legatee, now Captain Len Frazer being inducted into Melbourne Legacy as a senior legatee by L/- Stan Savige on 26 January 1943. Notes with another photo taken at the event (see 01368) identifies the man as Captain Len Fraser, who had been a Junior Legatee after his father died in the first World War at Ypres. He then served in World War 2 and on his return qualified to become a member of Melbourne Legacy. His service number was VX15205, full name Leonard Thomas Frazer. From Trove a newspaper article describes his background. "Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 27 January 1943, page 5 FIRST JUNIOR LEGATEE IN SENIOR CLUB Capt L. T. Frazer was initiated to membership of Legacy Club by Maj-Gen S. G. Savige, founder of the club, at a simple ceremony yesterday. He was the first returned soldier of this war, and first junior Legatee, to be admitted to membership. Joining junior Legacy in 1928, Capt Frazer, whose father was killed in the last war, was a foundation member of the Intermediate Club, of which he became president, and he gained the right to admittance to the senior club by having seen active service with the AIF. Enlisting in April, 1940, he served in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action with the first AIF at Ypres. Capt Frazer, who joined the Melbourne City Council as an engineering junior in 1928, graduated to senior MCC engineering assistant before he enlisted. At present he is attached to Army Engineers, LHQ. His wife and 3 children live at Canterbury."Sir Stanley Savige was the founder of Melbourne Legacy. A record of the first Junior Legatee becoming a Senior Legatee after his war service.Black and white photo of the induction of a new Legatee by L/- Stan Savige in 1943.savige, legatee event, len frazer, membership -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Induction of first Junior Legatee into Melbourne Legacy, 1943
... in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action... in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action ...The photo shows a Junior Legatee, now Captain Len Frazer being inducted into Melbourne Legacy as a senior legatee on 26 January 1943. See also item 00040 for another photo of the event. The notes on the photo identify Legatees Stan Savige, Frank Doolan and W Cremor (ex-Pres. 1936), the man speaking is President Os Gawler, three others in the photo are unknown. Captain Len Frazer had been a Junior Legatee after his father died in the first World War at Ypres. He then served in World War 2 and on his return qualified to become a member of Melbourne Legacy. His service number was VX15205, full name Leonard Thomas Frazer. From Trove a newspaper article describes his background. "Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 27 January 1943, page 5 FIRST JUNIOR LEGATEE IN SENIOR CLUB Capt L. T. Frazer was initiated to membership of Legacy Club by Maj-Gen S. G. Savige, founder of the club, at a simple ceremony yesterday. He was the first returned soldier of this war, and first junior Legatee, to be admitted to membership. Joining junior Legacy in 1928, Capt Frazer, whose father was killed in the last war, was a foundation member of the Intermediate Club, of which he became president, and he gained the right to admittance to the senior club by having seen active service with the AIF. Enlisting in April, 1940, he served in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action with the first AIF at Ypres. Capt Frazer, who joined the Melbourne City Council as an engineering junior in 1928, graduated to senior MCC engineering assistant before he enlisted. At present he is attached to Army Engineers, LHQ. His wife and 3 children live at Canterbury."A record of the first Junior Legatee becoming a Senior Legatee after his war service.Black and white photo of the induction of a new Legatee by L/- Stan Savige in 1943.Hand-written on reverse: 'Induction into Melbourne Legacy of First Junior Legatee, Len Fraser. Legatees S. Savige and W. Cremor on right / Legatee F Doolan on left.' in blue ink. Stamped with a copyright stamp (indistinct) in purple ink, and negative number '3245' in pencil.legatee event, membership, stan savige, len frazer -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Speech, Commemorative Address - Sir Stanley Savige K.B.E. Federal Conference of Legacy Clubs, Canberra, 10/1954
... the grim days of Greece and Crete when the fine qualities of his... the grim days of Greece and Crete when the fine qualities of his ...After the death of Stan Savige this address was given at the Canberra Conference in October 1954. It is tribute to his life. Sir Stanley Savige KBE : Commemorative Address Federal Conference of Legacy Clubs, Canberra : October 1954. On the 15th of May this year Legacy learned to its enduring sorrow of the death of its Founder, Lieut. General Stanley George Savige KBE, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, ED, for more than 30 years affectionately known to us all as Legatee Stan Savige. He was the embodiment of all those things for which Legacy stands, and each one of us who knew him and worked with him feels a great and abiding sense of personal loss. It is proper, therefore, that those of us at this Conference, the first after his passing, representative of Legacy throughout the Commonwealth, and comprising so many who were his friends, so many who knew the depth of his love for Legacy, should acknowledge our debt to our Founder and ensure, so far as we may, that the inspiration of his life and work in this Cause shall not be lost to those who follow after. It was not ordained that Stanley George Savige - should enjoy a long life, but it was to prove a life of outstanding service. Born at Morwell in Victoria some 63 years ago, he received with his brothers and sisters such education as was then available to a lad in a mining district. He had no particular opportunities of advancement, but from his early days he cherished a strong ambition to make a success of his life, and with this in view he lost no opportunity of adding to his knowledge. Always a lover of the open country, a good bushman and a fine shot, he became as a young man, a Scoutmaster with a keen following of boys. Even in those early days he attracted youth and showed undoubted promise of the quality of leadership which later was to make him famous. Opportunity came with the first World War, and he took his place as a private soldier in the original 24th Battalion AIF. Followed Gallipoli and Anzac where his marksmanship and bush craft stood him in good stead. Conscious that his early training was not sufficient to secure the promotion he desired, he set himself to enlarge it. Only a man of fine fibre and rare determination could apply himself to study on that war torn Peninsula, where our men, hitherto untested, suffered every known hardship and no man knew, from hour to hour, whether he would survive. But Savige achieved it. Himself then a Corporal he found another Corporal who was a former Schoolmaster and learned from him all that he had to teach. Savige was on his way. He was commissioned on the Field and allotted the heroic task of leading the last party off that desperate coast during the famous evacuation. In France he became the Adjutant of his Battalion and one of the best known officers in the 6th Brigade. He won the Military Cross and was mentioned in despatches. Early in 1918 he received a signal distinction, He was included in a small but distinguished band of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers from the British and Dominion Forces most carefully selected for individual courage and proved qualities of leadership, and was sent to Persia, under the command of Major-General Dunsterville, Kipling’s famous Stalky, to assist and mobilise the friendly tribes with a view to protecting the road to India, left wide open by the withdrawal of Russia. The story of the Dunsterforce, its suffering and achievements in the face of incredible hardships and difficulties, was later to be told by Savige in his book “Stalky’s Forlorn Hope”. He emerged, finally, unscathed, despite his active participation in several of the bloodiest battles of all time, with the rank of Captain and a DSO and MC to his credit, to say nothing of three mentions in despatches. In later years, further decorations were to be conferred upon him, but I believe he valued none of these so highly as his awards for outstanding personal bravery won in the Field when he was an Officer of comparatively junior rank. Such was the man who in August 1923, at the instance of his former Commander, Major-General Sir John Gellibrand, gathered around him a handful of men who had fought and laughed with him over four well remembered years. This small band adopted the name of “Legacy”, but its purpose then was, in the main, to assist in safeguarding the interests of ex-servicemen in this country. Worthy although the case undoubtedly was, the conception and ideal which was to distinguish Legacy from all kindred post-war movements did not emerge until two years later. The torch had not been lit. Legacy had not yet found its soul. What has been achieved since then is known to you all. The Legacy ideal, unique in its conception, with no known counterpart elsewhere, is now accepted, welcomed and honoured throughout the Commonwealth and abroad. But in those early days the achievements of our Founder in the face of all manner of difficulties and frustrations are worthy of our lasting memory and thankfulness. As the source of every river lies in the hills, so must the inspiration from which stems a great conceptions of service to one’s fellow men be lofty and above reproach. Savige was the embodiment of this new expression of comradeship, as he was the central figure and driving force of the little group that sponsored it. But for his zeal, his faith and determination, it is likely that the flame, newly kindled, might have flickered and died. The idea of men returned from active service pledging for the sake of their former comradeship, their personal assistance to the widows, and above all, to the children of those who had fought beside them and paid the full price of War, was so completely new and unexpected that it was by no means readily accepted. There were no funds, no precedents to guide the new adventurers, only the clear bright flame of an ideal just envisaged, and the conviction that the Cause was unassailable. Nor were there lacking many who said that the community held no place for Legacy, that it was born of sentiment only, and would quickly pass. The scoffers are gone and one since forgotten, but the torch remains and burns brighter than ever. Down the years of Legacy there are many names deserving of honour, men from all States and all stations of life, but no name stands out in such clear and bold relief as does the name of our Founder. By his works you shall know him. He was, in truth, the Soul of Legacy. He sought no office and preferred to work as one of the team. Six years went by before he accepted the Presidency of Melbourne Club, and then only because his fellows would book no further delay. “The Spirit of Legacy is Service” - so runs the Charter, and that was Savige’s Creed. By virtue of his attainments he was called upon to take a leading part in the administration of Legacy, first within his own club and later, as Chairman of the Co-ordinating Council of Legacy in Australia. But always it was the essentially human character of the work which enthralled and upheld him, and the tasks which gave him most joy were those which brought him into close personal contact with the youngsters and their home life. Like their elders they recognised his goodwill and his leadership and responded to it. It was Savige who made possible the first camps held for the boys and girls by Melbourne Club. These were erected on his own seaside property, and were originally conducted under his personal direction and largely with the aid of funds he had collected. There was hardly an important post in his own Club that Savige did not at some time occupy and adorn. He was happiest in the company of those men with whom he had served in the field, and cherished always the comradeship born of active service which is of the essence of Legacy. He was a man of strong convictions but attentive always to another’s point of view. As a Legatee he played a leading part in bringing hope and encouragement to many a mother on whom the whole responsibility of a young family had been suddenly and tragically laid; in the attainment of the ambitions of many an orphan child, which not so long since had seemed to him or her to be mere dreams, impossible of realisation. Comfort for the bereaved, new hope for the children’s physical and educational welfare, assistance with the home, aid for the sick, money for the needy and a new courage to face a future that hitherto had held no promise, all these facets of Legacy endeavour combine to present a living and enduring memorial to the man we honour as our Founder today. Between the two World Wars in addition to establishing himself successfully in civilian life and answering the constant calls of Legacy on his energy and time, Savige maintained an active association with the Army. He was convinced that a Second AIF would one day be urgently called upon, and as a Battalion Commander he spared no effort to train the Officers under his charge during the uneasy years of peace for the trial that he felt must come. These men have all subsequently had distinguished military careers, their names are well known and many of the serve in Legacy today. When the second crisis came, Savige himself was one of the first to offer, and although his youth was spent, he proudly carried the number VX13 throughout the terrible years that followed. This time he was to command, first the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade in the first action of the Second AIF against the enemy at Barida, and subsequently at Tobruk and Derna - all famous names now. It was his patrols which gave the warning - unheeded at the time - that Rommel’s reinforcements were reaching North Africa far earlier than was expected. Then followed the grim days of Greece and Crete when the fine qualities of his leadership were put to the utmost test. I have been told by those who were closest to him it was typical of Savige that when his convoys were on the move back and were being blasted from the air by the unopposed Luftwaffe, he should sit by the side of the open road, wearing his red banded cap, to steady the morale of men who had then no chance of hitting back at the enemy. Unorthodox no doubt, but here was a man indeed. Throughout the whole campaign and later when he commended the 3rd division in New Guinea and later still when with the rank of Lieutenant-General he became a Corps Commander in New Guinea and Bouganville, it was at all times characteristic of him that he should see for himself the situation in the forward areas. He dealt personally with his subordinate commanders whenever it was possible to do so. No one says his G.S.O. 1. understood better than he did the importance of front line troops seeing their G.O.C. frequently, and knowing that he was aware of and prepared to share their hardships and dangers. He took many risks that he should not have taken, exhausted himself physically and mentally times without number, and considered himself not at all in order to secure the success of his operations. Finally, in Bouganville, he brought his campaign to a victorious conclusion and accepted the personal surrender of the Japanese Commander. Savige is known as one of Australia’s most human military leaders, but let no one believe that he did not ask and receive the utmost of his men. He trained them in a hard school but he was ever conscious of their needs and observant and thoughtful of their welfare. Fearless and untiring under conditions which brought younger men down, he asked nothing that he was not himself prepared to give and do. The close of the Second World War left him with the same brave heart; but a vitality greatly impaired. He was called up again and again to perform important national tasks, notably that of Co-ordinator of Demobilisation and Dispersal. But his interest in Legacy never flagged it was in fact more personal than ever, for under his command many junior legatees, sons of former comrades had proved themselves worthy of their Fathers in war and in peace. In the bearing and achievements of the young men of the Second A.I.F. he took a particular and justifiable pride. He applied himself to the Extension of Legacy to areas where it had not previously been practicable to operate. His record of service and close personal contact with the men of both wars made him a most welcome pioneer and many new Clubs and Groups resulted from his efforts. He founded, and I doubt whether any one else could have done so, the Club in the great Capital of our Empire. His reputation and obvious sincerity surmounted obstacles that might well have daunted lesser man. Legacy’s debt to him visibly increased. But he was ever a simple man, with a great love and understanding of his fellow men and a true Legatee at heart. Much that he did will never be known or recognised, save by those who benefitted. His service in Legacy ranged from the humble kitchen of cottage and farm to our representation in Westminster Abbey itself. A knighthood set the seal upon an outstanding career. None the less when upon the death of Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey, Lieut. General Sir Stanley Savige became the Patron of the Melbourne Club, he retained at his own express desire, the title of Legatee Savige, and when on that final day we bade him farewell, when the Flags he had served so well were lowered and the guns which had formed a grim final salute, it was apparent to all who had eyes to see that this great and simple man had won such a place in the hearts and affection of his fellow country men as is given to few men indeed. From the packed Cathedral, escorted by his fellow Generals, followed by men of his own Units, by Legatees and a great company of others who had cause to honour and esteem him, he made his last journey. But that is not the end. His voice and presence are lost to us but his memory and inspiration must ever remain. As he has bequeathed to the National War Memorial yonder his diaries, records and battle plans, so he has bequeathed to us his fellow Legatees his greatest achievement and his trust, Legacy itself. Never was the Torch passed by worthier hands. Now it is ours to hold it high. Whatever material memorial the future many hold for him, Legacy owes its Founder a livelier recompense. It is within our power to implement what I believe to be his greatest wish, that Legacy and its ideal of comradeship and service shall flourish and endure. Let each one of us then resolve that we shall, within our Clubs, in all tasks to which we are assigned, both great and small, keep in our minds the life and spirit of Stanley George Savige, so that we may be proud at all times to say of Legacy to those who follow after - “If you would see his memorial - Look around you”.The tribute to Stanley Savige shows how greatly he was regarded by the Legatees.Off white quarto paper with black type, address given about Stan Savige to the Canberra Conference, x 12 pages.savige, speech, obituary -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Silver Tankard ARMY
Pewter drinking cup with ornate handle, Rising sun Badge with Queens Crown. Glass bottom. Tapered sides. Listing Camaigns and locations. From World War 1, World War 11,, Korea, Malaya and VietnamInscipion: The Australian Tankard WWI German New Guinea Gallipoli France Palestine Mesopotamia Flanders WWII Nth. Africa Crete Malaya SW Pacific Timor New Guinea Java Bouganville Brneo Greece Syria South Africa Korea Malaya Vietnam Presented to the Waverley RSL by Army Members April 1984tankard, mug -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australia in the War of 1939-1945 Tobruk and El Alamein ARMY Author Barton Maughan, First Published 1966
Australia in the War 1939 - 1945 From March 1941 - December 1942 Historical record part of a seriesAustralia in the War of 1939-1945 - Tobruk and El Alamein Maps, illustrations, photographsAustralian War Memorialtobruk, el alamein, army, wwii, palestine, lebanon, german invasion of greece and yugoslavia, bismark, malaya, pearl harbour, darwin, crete, churchill, faddon, curtin -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL, GREEK CAMPAIGN, 1947 - 1983
The Greek Commemorative War Medal was instituted by Royal Decree on 19.8.1947. It was awarded for service from the outbreak of war in Greece 1940 to the fall of Crete in 1941. It was also awarded to allied foreign troops who saw service as per the areas covered on the reverse of the medal. This medal was awarded to Alan Kenneth NAISMITH DCM, VX4838, 2/7th Bn. Refer Cat No 1421 for his service details.The medal itself is gilded bronze. The front of the medal in the centre is a relief of King George II of Greece. Around the outside is a laurel wreath joined at the top by a crown. The ribbon is attached by a ring suspender.The ribbon has a centre light blue stripe with a dark blue stripe each side. on the edges of the ribbon is a thin light blue stripe. The rear of the ribbon has a pin clasp The rear of the medal has a thin raised edge on the outside of the medal. The inscription in the centre is raised. The wording is in Greek except for the date. The inscription reads. 1940 - 41, Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace, Crete.commemorative war medal greek, 1940 - 41, medals -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE WW2, 8.12.1944
William Graham GOODMAN VX11397 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 27.3.1940 age 33 years 2 months. 8.4.1940 posted to 2/5th Batt. 14.4.1940 embarked for the Middle East. 22.5.1940 hospitalised with Otitis Media (ear infection). Rejoined unit 27.5 1940. 14.6.1940 hospitalised with a throat infection. Rejoined unit 16.6.1940. 27.7.1940 transferred to 6th Division ASC. From here he served in Ammunition and Composite Coy’s in 6th Div ASC and graded Group 2 Mechanic MT. 24.3.1941 embarked for Greece. 5.6.1941 reported as missing. 15.12.1941 officially reported as POW in Stalag V111B. 17.5.1944 as part of a POW exchange he embarked from Barcelona to Algiers then Alexandria arriving on 2.6.1944. He is admitted to No 5 NZ GH with Dyspepsia and discharged on 9.6.1944. 28.8.1944 embarked for Australia as a medical casualty. 29.9.1944 arrived Sydney. Hospital again with Dysentry and is medically down graded to D. 6.12.1944 marched out to GDD for discharge. 18.2.1945 discharged from the Army. A document in his records that he supplied details states his POW No 24198. He was captured on 1.6.1941 on Crete and they were on rear guard action at their post when the Island capitulated. It also details living conditions, clothing issue, food, sanitary, treatment, parcels etc. Ref Reg No's 3768, 3569, 3570, 3571, 3572, 3573. A4 certificate, yellowed, folded 8 times. Certificate of Discharge for VX11397 William Graham GOODMAN, Certificate No 151615. AIF Royal Park 8.12.1944.certificate, discharge, aif -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Pamphlet - German Propaganda Leaflet dropped on Crete, May 1941, World War 2. 1941
Leaflet dropped from German aircraft on to troops of the Royal army in Crete in May - June 1941 The propaganda leaflets were designed to lower moral of defending troops.Printed LeafletPrinted on leaflet “Soldiers of the ROYAL BRITISH ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE! There are MANY OF YOU STILL HIDING in the mountains, valleys and villages. You have to PRESENT yourself AT ONCE TO THE GERMAN TROOPS. Every opposition will be completely USELESS. Every ATTEMPT TO FLEE will be in vain. The COMING WINTER will force you to leave the mountains. Only soldiers, who present themselves AT ONCE will be sure of a HONOURABLE AND SOLDIERLIKE CAPTIVITY OF WAR. On the cntrary who is met in civil-clothes will be treated as a spy. THE COMMANDER OF CRETE On the reverse side of the leaflet is writing in the Greek language and also writing in English indicating that the leaflet was issued by the “GERMAN HIGH COMMAND OF CRETE”, MAY - JUNE 1941world war two, leaflet, propaganda, air drop -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Scribe, Forgotten ANZACS, 2008
his is the largely unknown story of another Anzac force, which fought not at Gallipoli, but in Greece, during World War II. Desperately outnumbered and fighting in deeply inhospitable conditions, these Anzacs found themselves engaging in a long retreat through Greece, under constant air attack. Most of the Anzac Corps was evacuated by the end of April 1941, but many men got only as far as Crete. Fighting a German paratroop invasion there in May, large numbers were taken captive and spent four long years as prisoners of the Nazis. The campaign in Greece turned out to have uncanny parallels to the original Gallipoli operation: both were inspired by Winston Churchill, both were badly planned by British military leaders, and both ended in defeat and evacuation. Just as Gallipoli provided military academies the world over with lessons in how not to conduct a complex feat of arms, Churchill's Greek adventure reinforced fundamental lessons in modern warfare - heavy tanks could not be stopped by men armed with rifles, and Stuka dive-bombers would not be deflected by promises of air support from London that were never honoured. In this revised edition, based on fresh archival research, and containing a collection of previously unpublished photos, the truth finally emerges as to how the Australian, Greek, and New Zealand Governments were misled over key decisions that would define the campaign.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.374.non-fictionhis is the largely unknown story of another Anzac force, which fought not at Gallipoli, but in Greece, during World War II. Desperately outnumbered and fighting in deeply inhospitable conditions, these Anzacs found themselves engaging in a long retreat through Greece, under constant air attack. Most of the Anzac Corps was evacuated by the end of April 1941, but many men got only as far as Crete. Fighting a German paratroop invasion there in May, large numbers were taken captive and spent four long years as prisoners of the Nazis. The campaign in Greece turned out to have uncanny parallels to the original Gallipoli operation: both were inspired by Winston Churchill, both were badly planned by British military leaders, and both ended in defeat and evacuation. Just as Gallipoli provided military academies the world over with lessons in how not to conduct a complex feat of arms, Churchill's Greek adventure reinforced fundamental lessons in modern warfare - heavy tanks could not be stopped by men armed with rifles, and Stuka dive-bombers would not be deflected by promises of air support from London that were never honoured. In this revised edition, based on fresh archival research, and containing a collection of previously unpublished photos, the truth finally emerges as to how the Australian, Greek, and New Zealand Governments were misled over key decisions that would define the campaign. world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - greece, greek campaign - australian involvement -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Affirm Press, Sons of war : astonishing stories of under-age Australian soldiers who fought in the Second World War, 2022
... through Libya and Palestine, Greece and Crete, to the jungles ...In the Second World War, thousands of Australian boys lied about their age and volunteered for a war the scale of which they could never have imagined. Like many of their fathers in the Great War, they went with their eyes wide shut: under-trained, under-equipped and under-age. Some were as young as thirteen - too young even to shave. Many did not grow old; others came back broken. A handful are still alive to tell their tales. This extraordinary book captures the bold and untold stories of forty Australian children who fought in the deadliest war in history. Follow these boys through Libya and Palestine, Greece and Crete, to the jungles of Malaya, Papua New Guinea and Borneo, fighting for their lives, their country, their mates. Many of the photographs have never been seen. Haunting images of youths in training camps and behind the lines stand beside moving portraits of old men who have not forgotten.Index, ill, ,maps, p.380.non-fictionIn the Second World War, thousands of Australian boys lied about their age and volunteered for a war the scale of which they could never have imagined. Like many of their fathers in the Great War, they went with their eyes wide shut: under-trained, under-equipped and under-age. Some were as young as thirteen - too young even to shave. Many did not grow old; others came back broken. A handful are still alive to tell their tales. This extraordinary book captures the bold and untold stories of forty Australian children who fought in the deadliest war in history. Follow these boys through Libya and Palestine, Greece and Crete, to the jungles of Malaya, Papua New Guinea and Borneo, fighting for their lives, their country, their mates. Many of the photographs have never been seen. Haunting images of youths in training camps and behind the lines stand beside moving portraits of old men who have not forgotten.world war 1939-1945 - australia - under age soldiers, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Map and Newspaper
... , Greece and Crete, the 1st and 3rd Australian Pack Transport ...Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road New Guinea drawn to scale by 2/1 Aust Fd Coy dated 23.7.43 and signed by soldiers together with related newspaper article. Hand sketched by Peter Muncey VX10042 a Draughtsman who served in the Middle East Ceylon and New Guinea with the 2/2 and 2/1 Field Coy Royal Australian Engineers. The sketch contains 26 signatures including:- S/Sgt Raymond Hector Ibbotson NX14112 who served in the Middle East and New Guinea Lt Col Jack Graham Wilson NX 130646Bulldog Track also known as Bulldog-Wau road was longer, higher, steeper, wetter, colder and rougher than Kokoda Track. In 1943 Australian Army engineers; the 2/1 and 2/16 Field Company RAE, 9th Australian Field Company (AIF), veterans of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Greece and Crete, the 1st and 3rd Australian Pack Transport Companies and local Papuan labour cut the road with pickaxes and dynamite over a period of eight months. During five months of operations over seventy per cent of the 2/1 Australian Field Company contracted malaria.Seventeen bridges were constructed; mostly single, but at least one with multiple spans. More than two thousand Australian army personnel and over two thousand Papuans and New Guineans were involved during nine months of construction. Thus the road, acclaimed as the greatest military engineering feat ever, was completed and for the only time in history motor vehicles crossed the high rugged mountains of Papua New Guinea. Carved brown timber frame with cream mount containing hand sketched map with soldiers signatures and two newspaper articles.Sketch Map of Bulldog-Wau Road 23.7.43 2/1 Aust Fd Coy Newspaper - Diggers pushed on with pick and shovelbulldog-wau road, map, new guinea, ww2 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - Army Tankard
Tankard to commemorate conflicts in which the Australian Army has been involved since and including World War I. From the Returned Services League, Mitcham Sub-Branch, 26 McDowall Street, Mitcham, cnr Harrison Street when it closed early 2014.Australian Army Tankard with Australian rising sun badge on front. Tankard is made of pewter with a glass base. On the tankard all the conflicts that the Australian fought in are commemorated from World War I to Vietnam.The Australian Army Tankard, World War I, World War I, Mesopotamia, Flanders, German New Guinea, Gallipoli, France, Palestine, World War II, North Africa, Crete, Malaya, S.W. Pacific, Timor, New Guinea, Java, Bougainville, Borneo, Greece, Syria, Singapore, South Africa, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam.military history, army, metalcraft, pewterware -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book Battle of Crete WW2, First published 2014
... on Crete and in the Greek Campaign... on Crete and in the Greek Campaign Hard cover book. The Battle ...Documented stories of Australian soldiers who served on Crete and in the Greek CampaignHard cover book. The Battle of Crete , the Untold Story by Dina Gerolymou. Details of many Australian Soldiers who served on Crete in WW2.Contain photo and text. -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Plaque - Plate, Battle of Crete Celebrations
Small gold plate with Greek military forces emblem in the centre. (pewter) (No925) Presented by Maj T Kanellos (2IC 5/6 RVR) to commemorate the battle of Crete celebrations in may 2004 given to him by Maj Gen Giannatos Hellenic Armed Forces. Diameter - 855/6 rvr