One of Many

The Story Of 46 Division during WW2

Detailed Account Greece 1945

Unrest in Greece

Orders came on 6^th January 1945 to move the rest of the Division in Italy to Taranto (Italy) for shipment to Greece. The division moved south during the cold winter weather in the 3-ton transport vehicles, through the ruins of Ortona and across the sodden plains of Foggia, towards Taranto.

This move took almost 2 months for the complete shipment of the division to Greece, and was completed in a piecemeal manner on whatever transport was available. 138 brigade relieved 139 brigade, who departed Italy at the end of November.

During November rumours began to circulate with 139's departure about civil unrest in Greece. A new era of fighting was to now unfold and would be the forerunner to the modern terrorist tactics found around the world.

In Athens slogans and propaganda of the various parties disfigured many buildings. The main antagonists were the ELAS, who were old British allies against the occupying Germans, now however they were attempting an armed uprising by overthrowing the Greek government, and controlling the capital.

Talks were in progress to resolve the situation, but there were many clashes between the police and the ELAS. General Scobie issued orders to clear the ELAS from the city when talks broke down on the 5^th December. A crowd of 2000 formed outside the Navy House on the Piraeus Peninsula on the 6^th, and it took 3 tanks and 3 armoured cars to disperse the angry mob.

Snipers occupied upper floors and roofs of houses, and proved difficult to clear, and road blockades hindered tanks and transport. On 9^th December skirmishes broke out, and on the 13^th, three men patrolling the streets were injured, when fighting broke out. Greek local knowledge of the inter-winding streets and alleys enabled the ELAS to divide platoons and company positions, but although hard fought no ground was given. A terrorist bomb destroyed the house next door to the Navy House, but with the daylight the enemy withdrew suffering heavy losses.

Lieut. General Hawkesworth arrived and took command on the 15^th December. Positions were consolidated, and by the 25^th a firm perimeter was in place around the harbour, and the coast road and railway were secure.

The Leicester's concentrated a raid on Evyenia Hill on the 29th, after heavy mortar and artillery fire. The ELAS withdrew on the 5^th January 1945 following similar raids over the next few days.

Patras

The Durham's and Leicester's were ordered on the 6^th January to embark for Patras, to clear the ELAS company from the airdrome, this was completed by the 12^th January. A general truce was in place by midnight 14^th with the ELAS agreeing to withdraw behind definite boundaries. This ended the hostilities, and on the 18^th January a march past was organized and attended by cheering crowds from the city of Patras. At the end of the month 138 brigade began arriving.

Salonika

The Foresters were the first to leave Italy on the 30^th November 1944, and flew to Seles airport Salonika. The Germans had left Salonika, one month earlier, and the extreme left wing element of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and its army (ELAS) were attempting to establish themselves as the military and political control of Greece. After a local victory at Kilki, over the existing Greek authorities their power was unchallenged, controlling both police and administration.

ELAS strength was now about 2000 in the city and 4000 supporters in the countryside. On the 7^th December an anti British demonstration was organized, but a further one on the 15^th was postponed for two days due to RAIN!

Local propaganda cited the British as Fascists', Butchers', and Tyrants', but it proved hard to convince the local population due to the exemplary behaviour, and tactfulness of the British soldiers and commanding officers. In early January the morale of the ELAS deteriorated, due to lack of money and food. The general truce on 16^th January saw them leave the city in a very bedraggled state.

On the 23^rd January the Greek National Guard took over the policing from the Foresters'. After two months of tact and diplomacy they had won a bloodless victory, and now they departed for Athens on 8^th February.

To aid the authorities after the truce, a divisional headquarters was set up in Lautraki, set in the Bay of Corinth. The main aim was to restore confidence with the rule of law and order. Arms were collected from the ELAS and population, and a survey enabled the necessities of life to be distributed to those in need. On the 17^th February, after agreement by ELAS and Greek government the ELAS disbanded, and the division helped transport these disbanded soldiers to their homes.

At the end of March, handing over responsibility to the Greek government, the division prepared to move back to Italy. On the 5^th April, 46 Division handed over to 23-Armoured Brigade and the move to Italy commenced on the 7^th April.