By Major Hoban, MP Newsletter, Vol 6 No.2 1983

Note: From Defence Force Journal No.17 July/August 1979

Lamia is a small town in Greece and is featured in the official War Diary of the 7th Australian Division Provost Company. The overall picture was as follows:

"The withdrawal of 16 Australian Infantry Brigade during April 1941 involved some 600 vehicles and 6000 men moving south over winding mountain roads for three consecutive nights. The 250 mile axis was under constant enemy air attack and 7 DIV Pro Coy earned great praise for unstinting efforts which contributed to the success of the mission. The effectiveness of the control measures was in contrast with the chaos that existed in other formations. Also on 19 April 1941, the Historian records that elements of 7 DIV Pro Coy (1 Offr and 18 ORs) were still coolly directing the few vehicles straggling behind the main columns. This took place near the town of Lamia where 7 DIV Pro Coy were part of the rear guard of the short lived ANZAC Corps at the time when the enemy advance guard was on the Northern outskirts of the town"

Fine. Routine patrols

Fine and Warm. Convoy patrol duties. First of units to retire

Fine. Routine patrols. Lamia subjected to bombing

Fine. Windy. Routine patrols

Fine. CO and party proceeded to Volos to find alternate route from Larissa via Pharsalos for retirement. While at Volos, subjected to aerial bombing, and assisted in removal of wounded. Volos evacuated.

Fine. General retirement information received, Pharsalos-Volos road impassable, use alternate route, via Lamia then on to Volos.

Fine. All Coy en convoy, from Pharsalos to Thebes. Volume of traffic increasing in density. OCs of convoys advised to increase speed. Roads bombed and machine gunned continuously. Members performed their duties under trying circumstances. Severe blockage of traffic on North Pass near Lamia due to enemy severely bombing and machine gunning the roads. Ammunition truck set on fire, and with the assistance of CPL Pearce ammunition removed. Lamia received a severe bombing attack at 1415 hrs also straight road from Lamia to Bralos Pass received severe bombing and machine gunning, and as a result causing congestion of convoys on the road. Exceptionally fine work was performed by SGT Harris.

Camp site bombed and machine gunned, decided to move camp to a position near foot of Bralos Pass. Camp and personnel moved at 2100hrs. Members of the Coy clearing debris from roads in Lamia. Still a heavy volume of traffic en way South. Several delayed action bombs uncovered in and about Lamia, locations marked and picqueted by members of the Coy. Lamia patrolled, portion of town on fire.

At 0100 hrs LCPL Barnes reported the presence of enemy troops, 15 miles along Volos road. Instructed CPL Pearce and party to investigate; and returned at 0415 hrs. No presence of enemy. CPL reported that he had travelled 37 miles.

Fine but windy. 0530 hrs enemy planes overhead. Patrols visited, convoys passing through township via Bralos Pass, moving South, also coast road. At 0545 hrs enemy launched severe bombing attack. In Lamia, this continued until 1030 hrs. Roads through town impassable. Members of Coy cleaning roads, and could not obtain no assistance from Greek Military Authorities. Traffic diverted to alternative routes. Town burning fiercely. 0715 hrs, COL Rodgers 1 Aust Corps, visiting bivouac, seeking information as to whether the 21st BN, NZ Forces, had retired along Volos road to Volos.

Informed the COL., regarding CPL Pearce's patrol in the eralt hours of that morning and there had been no contact with NZ or any other troops on that road. Informed from NZ BHQ Volos, COL Rodgers concurred and requested that such intelligence be sent to BRIG Lee, Commander of Lee Force, Domokos. Received despatch from COL Rodgers for BRIG Lee. SGT Finch, CPL Pearce left at 0730 hrs for Volos BHQ with instruction to proceed to BRIG Lee, Domokos. SGT Finch, CPL Pearce returned, their task completed.

The volume of traffic from North to South very light. Members of Company patrolling roads from Domokos to South side of Bralos Pass. At all times being subjected to machine gunning. Received intelligence from BRIG Lee that he expected to retire from his position between midnight and 0300 hrs on 18/19th. At 1745 hrs head of, Lee Force, column passed through Lamia township on way South. 1810 hrs straight road from Lamia town to Bralos Pass subjected to intense bombing and machine gunning attack. Several vehicles damaged and slight delay. OC of convoy instructed that under the circumstances continue whilst being attacked by enemy.

All vehicles of Lee Force, were cleared of the township of Lamia and the straight road without further loss. At 1900 hrs vehicles of Lee Force, successfully negotiating roads at the Bralos Pass. At 1905 hrs contacted BRIG Lee, who reported all his men were clear. At 1915 hrs, LCPLs Swinfield, Hurst, Clarke, Laughton and McPherson reported, that all troops and vehicles were clear from the pass, North of Lamia, through Lamia, and along the straight road. At 1920 hrs members of this Coy, present when the air bridge along the road from Bralos Pass to Lamia was destroyed.

Liauoklade Railway Station, and AUSup seen to be on fire, several culverts and a bridge on coast road near Lamia destroyed. At 1930 hrs, two very lights were observed, South of the Lamia township, signifying the arrival of German troops along the Volos Road. At 2015 hrs CAPT Grimshaw, SGT Harris, Finch, Walton, CPL Delaney, Swinfield, Pearce, Hurst, Barrington, Smith left position at foot of Bralos Pass on way South to locate Corps or Force HQ. At 2025 hrs an anti-yank gun openend fire, from a position half way up the Bralos Mountain in the direction of Lamia.

From Bralos Pass proceeded to Thebes, stayed overnight.

Fine.Windy. Contacted Force HQ 12 miles from Thebes along Chalkis Road. Moved entire Coy to camp site adjoining Force HQ. Chalkis Road bombed and machine gunned. Coy weary, rested remainder of day.

Fine. Convoy and Point Duty patrols on duty all day and night. Roads continuously bombed and machine gunned throughout day.

Fine and windy. Convoy and Point Duty Patrols day and night. Chalkis bombed daily.

Remainder of Coy and camp moved to pine forest, one metre from town at 2330 hrs.

Fine and Windy. Patrols and Point Duty Men posted. Delayed action and HE bombs dropped on Thebes Railway Station. Tool over complete traffic control from CMP at 2030 hrs. RSM and remainder of Coy, not detailed for duty, sent to evacuation point, "D" beach. CAPT Grimshaw, SGT Harris, CPL Finch, Delaney, George, SGT Maddern, CPL Pearce, Batenby, LCPLs Potts and McEvoy, Mallyon and Barnes. These are the men who remained on duty in and around Thebes, until all troops and convoys had been safely conducted through the town. Delayed action bombs exploding throughout the night. The party left Thebes at 0230 hrs for evacuation point, "D" beach.

Made camp in Olive Grove, 12 miles from evacuation point. Porto Rafts "D" Beach. Remained hidden all day. Too late for evacuation that night.

Fine. Remained hidden all day. Informed no evacuation that night.

Fine and windy. Remained hidden till 1600 hrs, then removed remainder to a spot about three miles from beach. 1730 hrs took over custody of two prisoners suspected of fifth column activities. Three men detailed for duty on beach. At 2115 hrs remaining personel and prisoners moved down to beach.

Still on beach, prisoners handed over at 0100 hrs FSP. Embarked 0230 hrs on HMT "SALWEEN" and moved from "D" Beach at 0300 hrs.

It was also at Lamia where a Provost Officer, CAPT J.S. Grimshaw won the Military Cross for his part in the action. It was conferred by Major General Herring, Commanding 7 Australian Division. The Citation of Award for Capt Grimshaw reads as follows:

"During the period 16-17 April at Lamia and 24-25-26 April at 'C' and 'D' beaches to the east of Athens, CAPT Grimshaw, by sheer force of character, calm efficiency and personal example was a source of inspiration to his own men. At Lamia he imposed discipline and orderly continuous movement of vehicles within the area under his control, whilst directing traffic during periods of heavy air attacks. At 'C' and 'D' beaches his control of traffic was of a high standard, and materially affected the number of which were evacuated from theses beaches."