ADF contingent to commemorate Battle of Greece and Crete

Minister Snowdon joins Australian Defence Force contingent to commemorate Battle of Greece and Crete

What: A contingent of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) will deploy to Greece on 15 May in order to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete.

When: Between 18 - 22 May, the AFG contingent will conduct numerous memorial services in Greece.

20 May - The contingent will conduct a memorial service at the Hellenic-Australian Memorial in Rethymno, Crete.

Where: Athens and various locations on the Island of Crete.

Who: The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP will lead a commemorative mission.

Minister Snowdon will be present at the 20 May commemoration and will be joined by Deputy Chief of the Australian Army Major General Paul Symon, six veterans from Australia and the AFG.

The AFG is an ADF unit, comprising of members from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, that provides ceremonial support for the Australian Commonwealth.

Background: April and May this year mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete. When German forces invaded Greece in April 1941 they faced Greek, British, Australian and New Zealand troops who conducted a fighting withdrawal towards beaches near Athens from which many were evacuated to Crete. There Commonwealth forces faced a German airborne invasion on 20 May and were defeated after 10 days of fighting. More than 600 Australians lost their lives in the Battle for Greece and Crete while some 5,000 became prisoners of war.

ENDS

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