Early to rise! 4ish!
We travelled to Phaleron War Cemetery (part way between Athens and Piraeus)! Several hundred Australian, New Zealander, British, Indian and other Commonwealth war dead lay buried in the cemetery... a gift of land from the the People of Greece. Piraeus is the harbour of Athens and was the site of considerable air attack by the Germans... both as the Commonwealth sort to lodge forces and moreso as the Commonwealth withdrew forces.
The tour convenors had arranged for the Dawn Service. We were joined by some students from West Australia and by some other Australians and Greeks. The Service followed the familiar pattern: some prayers for peace, some singing 'Abide with Me', some speeches, wreath laying, some more prayers and singing of National Anthems. Whilst this sounds functionary... there is something moving, more intense, just special about conducting such a service amongst those you are remembering! A reading of names, ages and epitaphs brings home the reality that the loss was in real people who had hopes, aspirations and families. They are typically young but not all... some'old men' of 30+ lay amongst their young peers.
I was asked to provide a brief address (fortunately, this was not a surprise like the previous day's events). Whilst of course Anzac Day draws upon the events of 25 April 1915, it commemorates all those who have provided service to their country and sacrificed their lives, their health or just part of their lives. There are several connections and parallels between the Gallipoli Campaign and the Greek Campaign. So I talked about the 25 April 1941... on this night (24/25 Apr) evacuations had begun in Greece; soldiers were being brought into embarkation points where they would wait for 'the word' to go to the port or beach and board a launch or landing craft; there was fear that the rearguards may not hold the enemy back; there were fears that if the ships did not get away early enough before dawn then German aircraft would attack (as they did); there was disappointment that they had not held the Germans back; there was fear for what would happen to the people of Greece. Amongst this situation, young men and women of the Commonwealth behaved in an orderly fashion (mostly). The Royal Navy, including Australian and New Zealand ships, were exceptional in their drive to evacuate as many as they could (ultimately the Navy paid a high price in shipping and crews).
The George Negus 6.30 Report has had a crew with us for a couple of days and they provided coverage for the Anzac Day report... see link for Youtube copy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su-sK2DjREU
After the Dawn Service we returned to the hotel for breakfast... a bit of a nap for some! Then it was back to Phaeleron for the Embassy Anzac Day Service at 1100h. This attracted a few more people... a good turn out of Defence Attaches and representatives from several embassies. The Greek Navy provided a guard and the Greek Army provided a band. The Service was conducted well but it all seemed tobe a bit hurried!
After the Service, we were invited to the Australian Embassy lunch, in the Posiedon Room (a bit of a recurring Navy theme was emerging!). Lunch was nice, and I endeavoured to drink what red wine the Ambassador had laid on. There were a few others who were knocking the 'red' back at an impressive rate. There seemed to be more people at the lunch/reception than who had attended the service (excluding guard/band)!
All up, a moving day... the services were done with dignity... and due thanks was offered to those who occupied the ground we visited!
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| The central flower bed of the Cemetery. |
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| Australian Fallen |
We travelled to Phaleron War Cemetery (part way between Athens and Piraeus)! Several hundred Australian, New Zealander, British, Indian and other Commonwealth war dead lay buried in the cemetery... a gift of land from the the People of Greece. Piraeus is the harbour of Athens and was the site of considerable air attack by the Germans... both as the Commonwealth sort to lodge forces and moreso as the Commonwealth withdrew forces.
The tour convenors had arranged for the Dawn Service. We were joined by some students from West Australia and by some other Australians and Greeks. The Service followed the familiar pattern: some prayers for peace, some singing 'Abide with Me', some speeches, wreath laying, some more prayers and singing of National Anthems. Whilst this sounds functionary... there is something moving, more intense, just special about conducting such a service amongst those you are remembering! A reading of names, ages and epitaphs brings home the reality that the loss was in real people who had hopes, aspirations and families. They are typically young but not all... some'old men' of 30+ lay amongst their young peers.
I was asked to provide a brief address (fortunately, this was not a surprise like the previous day's events). Whilst of course Anzac Day draws upon the events of 25 April 1915, it commemorates all those who have provided service to their country and sacrificed their lives, their health or just part of their lives. There are several connections and parallels between the Gallipoli Campaign and the Greek Campaign. So I talked about the 25 April 1941... on this night (24/25 Apr) evacuations had begun in Greece; soldiers were being brought into embarkation points where they would wait for 'the word' to go to the port or beach and board a launch or landing craft; there was fear that the rearguards may not hold the enemy back; there were fears that if the ships did not get away early enough before dawn then German aircraft would attack (as they did); there was disappointment that they had not held the Germans back; there was fear for what would happen to the people of Greece. Amongst this situation, young men and women of the Commonwealth behaved in an orderly fashion (mostly). The Royal Navy, including Australian and New Zealand ships, were exceptional in their drive to evacuate as many as they could (ultimately the Navy paid a high price in shipping and crews).
The George Negus 6.30 Report has had a crew with us for a couple of days and they provided coverage for the Anzac Day report... see link for Youtube copy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su-sK2DjREU
After the Dawn Service we returned to the hotel for breakfast... a bit of a nap for some! Then it was back to Phaeleron for the Embassy Anzac Day Service at 1100h. This attracted a few more people... a good turn out of Defence Attaches and representatives from several embassies. The Greek Navy provided a guard and the Greek Army provided a band. The Service was conducted well but it all seemed tobe a bit hurried!
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| Ambassador's Lunch |
All up, a moving day... the services were done with dignity... and due thanks was offered to those who occupied the ground we visited!
Please ignore Sam's google account name!!!..Ahhh 15year olds!
ReplyDeleteYou're giving me itchy feet! So much to see and take in. Did you have tissues with you at the ceremony? Remember the movie Gallipoli at the Eldorado cinema and sharing one tissue to mop up the tears?
Look forward to hearing more,
Love Janelle