TWO AGAINST A MULTITUDE

In the final days of the retirement of the ANZAC Corps in Greece during April 1941, the 2nd/2nd Australian Field Regiment was ordered to cover 17 and 19 Infantry Brigades, which were occupying a position running along the top of the Brasilos Pass. Between the town of Lamia and the foot of the pass the road was practically straight for some eight miles, and about 7,000 yards from where it begins to ascend the pass the bridge over the river Sperkheios had been destroyed. The CO of the regiment (later Brigadier W. E. Cremor) was ordered by the CRA 6th Division to prevent the enemy from repairing this bridge. After a detailed reconnaissance, the only position which the CO could find for the guns was a small plateau measuring about 50 yards by 25 half-way up the pass. Here two guns of A Troop, 3rd Battery, under the command of Lieutenant J. Anderson, were dug in during the afternoon of April 20th. He was instructed to engage any targets visible to him.

At dawn on the 21st the zone was registered, and during that afternoon a British Breda gun which had been stationed close to the 18/25-pdrs forced a Heinkel bomber to crash-land just short of the river. This target was immediately engaged. About 1700 hours the enemy began to move down the road from Lamia, and at 10,900 yards the guns put the first enemy vehicle out of action. Dusk fell shortly afterwards, and for the rest of the night 12 rounds per gun per hour were fired at regular intervals around the bridge. It was obvious that the enemy was making strenuous efforts to repair the bridge during the night, but the fire prevented him. Soon after sunrise next morning another convoy moved down from Lamia, at about 30 yards' interval between vehicles, and was immediately engaged. They appeared several times again, each time with a longer interval, but were prevented from moving forward.

The enemy now brought a medium battery to a wood south-east of Lamia. Anderson tried to engage this battery, but despite the fact that an additional 500 yards was gained by the use of two blue charges and one red, the enemy guns were out of range. During the day our guns continued to fire, but every time they opened up the German 5.9s retaliated. About midday, much to the surprise of the Gunners, an enemy convoy appeared at the foot of the pass about half a mile to the left flank. It was obvious that they had got round by making a wide detour. As a company of infantry was dismounting about 60 rounds over open sights were fired as fast as the guns could be loaded and many casualties were inflicted. The enemy then used air-bursts against the section in addition to the usual HE of the 5-9s until eventually both of A Troop's guns were put out of action. As the detachment moved off several shells inflicted grave casualties amongst them, seven of the gunners being killed and three seriously wounded. Anderson carried one of the wounded along a goat track up the side of the pass to a RAP. For his remarkably efficient work and courage in this position, Lieutenant Anderson won the M.C.

This action played a great part in saving the left flank of the ANZAC Corps during its retirement. Had the enemy been able to repair the bridge over the river, he would have been in a position to attack much earlier than he did and before 19 Brigade was ready to receive him. The delay imposed upon him meant that the final step of the retirement of the 6th Australian Division was carried out in good order and free of enemy interference from the ground. The Gunners paid the price; but, relatively, it was a small price for so great an achievement.

By Brigadier W.E. Cremor, C.B.E., E.D., who commanded the 2nd/2nd Australian Field Regiment in Greece