We left the hotel and paid a visit to the local Border Guard unit (Greece-FYROM). The post is manned by soldiers of the Greek Army. We received a brief on operations and threats. Obviously, there was only so much they could tell us. I spoke to the Greek Brigadier (ie local commander) about whether the Greek Army studied the 1941 campaign... he offered some strong and emphatic views on the relationship between the senior Greek and British commander.
Next, we went to the small village of Xinon Neron. In 1945, a small monument was erected in rememberance of the soldiers of the Australian 6th Division which had fought in the locality in 1941. The memorial was in some disrepair which was a pity. The tour coordinators conducted a brief formal wreath laying.
Off again, to another small village for lunch (Drosopigi) . Food was good, the servings were very large and the prices were ridiculously cheap! Next to the restaurant was a small, owner operated museum. The museum 'owner' gave the group a brief on the history of the village. They were essentially a group of people looking to live in peace but had suffered at the hands of many. During 1944 they suffered doubly. The local partisans wanted the village to support them in the fight against the Germans. To force them into cooperation the partisans executed some captured German soldiers so that Germans would take reprisals against the village. The Germans obliged... by burning the village to the ground! Fortunately, most of the villagers escaped to the hills as a precautionary. Unfortunately, a number didn't. The museum owner told how the village elders had requested that the German soldiers be spared as they were very young boys (possibly younger than 16). The Partisans made the boys strip as part of the humiliation. The boys hugged each other and then the Partsians executed them. A sad and tragic story from a part of the world and a place in time that is virtually unknown!
We were due to visit the battle site of Vevi Pass which I have a strong interest in. It was getting late and the visit to Vevi was delayed... I was a bit worried/disappointed that we wouldn't get enough time to 'walk the ground' of one of the battles I was MOST interested in!
Just a reminder... the tour group also has a progressive tour report, click on link below:
http://www.militaryhistorytours.com.au/site/ONTour/Tour_1_May_2011G.asp
Next, we went to the small village of Xinon Neron. In 1945, a small monument was erected in rememberance of the soldiers of the Australian 6th Division which had fought in the locality in 1941. The memorial was in some disrepair which was a pity. The tour coordinators conducted a brief formal wreath laying.
Off again, to another small village for lunch (Drosopigi) . Food was good, the servings were very large and the prices were ridiculously cheap! Next to the restaurant was a small, owner operated museum. The museum 'owner' gave the group a brief on the history of the village. They were essentially a group of people looking to live in peace but had suffered at the hands of many. During 1944 they suffered doubly. The local partisans wanted the village to support them in the fight against the Germans. To force them into cooperation the partisans executed some captured German soldiers so that Germans would take reprisals against the village. The Germans obliged... by burning the village to the ground! Fortunately, most of the villagers escaped to the hills as a precautionary. Unfortunately, a number didn't. The museum owner told how the village elders had requested that the German soldiers be spared as they were very young boys (possibly younger than 16). The Partisans made the boys strip as part of the humiliation. The boys hugged each other and then the Partsians executed them. A sad and tragic story from a part of the world and a place in time that is virtually unknown!
We were due to visit the battle site of Vevi Pass which I have a strong interest in. It was getting late and the visit to Vevi was delayed... I was a bit worried/disappointed that we wouldn't get enough time to 'walk the ground' of one of the battles I was MOST interested in!
Just a reminder... the tour group also has a progressive tour report, click on link below:
http://www.militaryhistorytours.com.au/site/ONTour/Tour_1_May_2011G.asp
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