Historical and Commemorative Events

Sites of Historical interest

For more information on Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries and memorials, see their Greece Information Sheet, which contains a map and a great deal of information on the different sites:

http://www.cwgc.org/admin/files/Greece.pdf

Alternatively, enter the name of the cemetery or memorial into the CWGC website search facility. This includes details of locations and opening times:

http://www.cwgc.org/debt_of_honour.asp?menuid=14&searchFor=cemetery

See also the information below on Commemorative Events for other sites of historical interest such as monuments and plaques.

Commemorative Events

For more information on Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries and memorials, see the links above.

Battle of Athens, 20 April 1941

Historical note: The RAF Memorial at Elevsina Air Base honours those Greek Air Force personnel who had a connection with the RAF and the British airmen who lost their lives in the defence of Greece in WWII. In particular, it commemorates the Battle of Athens, when on April 20 1941, fourteen Hurricanes took on the Bombers of the advancing German army. During the fighting 9 Hurricanes were lost, and over 32 German aircraft.

A commemorative event is held every Spring at the RAF memorial at Elevsina Air Base. It is organised by the Royal Air Force Association, Athens Branch, and is open to veterans and their families.

Battle of Kalamata Waterfront, 28-29 April 1941

Historical note: The Battle of Kalamata was fought against the invading German forces at the end of April 1941. Originally planned to begin on 28 April 1941, the evacuation of Allied (British, Australian, New Zealand and Cypriot) troops from the city was brought forward to 26 April following the rapid advance of the Germans. Ships of the Royal Navy were instrumental in evacuating several thousand British and Allied troops, although over 10,000 were left on the beaches. After the final battle many were ordered to surrender into captivity as Prisoners of War.

The Battle of Kalamata Waterfront will be held in May at the Monument of the fallen Allies and Greeks at the OSE (Hellenic Railways Organisation) Park (Kritis and Psaron Streets). There is usually a memorial service, followed by speeches and wreath-laying. The event is organised by the veterans’ association, The Brotherhood of Veterans of The Greek Campaigns 1940-1945, in collaboration with the Municipality of Kalamata.

Lemnos, Gallipoli Campaign Commemoration Ceremonies

During the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 Mudros on Lemnos was used as a camp for Commonwealth Forces. Commemorative events are held on or close to ANZAC Day in late April at the East Mudros Military Cemetery (CWGC) and Portianou Cemetery (CWGC), organized by the local authorities.

 

Commemoration of the Siege of Messolonghi 1826

Historical Note: Ottoman forces laid siege to the city from 15 April 1825 to 10 April 1826. On the day before Palm Sunday the Greeks attempted a heroic but doomed escape attempt, known as the Exodus. Byron, one of the great champions of the Greek struggle for independence, died in Messolonghi in 1824.

The commemoration of the Exodus of Messolonghi is held every year on the day before Palm Sunday (otherwise known in Greece as Lazarus Saturday). A Service of Doxology at the Cathedral is followed by a military and civil parade from the cathedral to the Garden of Heroes (known officially as “The Monuments of the Heroes Garden of the Sacred Town of Messolonghi”). Here wreaths are laid at various monuments, including the monument to Byron. The parade is highly colourful, with participants wearing traditional costume from many different regions of Greece. There is also a re-enactment of the Exodus of Messolonghi. Another Service of Doxology is also held in the morning of Palm Sunday at the Cathedral.

ANZAC Day, 25 April

ANZAC Day honours members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI. A commemorative service is held every year in Athens at Phaleron War Cemetery (CWGC), Alimos, usually at 11am, organized by the Australian Embassy. See also

The Battle of Crete, May 1941

Historical Note: The Battle of Crete began with the German airborne invasion of Crete on 20 May 1941. British, Australian and New Zealand troops fought alongside the Greek forces in defending the island, and the civilian population also put up a fierce resistance. The island was eventually lost after 10 days.

Many events commemorating the Battle are held across the island and are organised by the various municipalities as well as the British Embassy. For more information see the Battle of Crete pages.

Sinking of the Queen Olga and HMS Intrepid in the Battle of Leros, September 26 (27) 1943

Each year on 26 September the island of Leros commemorates the Battle of Leros. In the morning there is a Service of Doxology at the church of St Nicholas, followed by wreath-laying at the Queen Olga Memorial and the HMS Intrepid Memorial in Port Lakki.

Salonika Campaign

Historical Note: Commemorates the surrender of Bulgaria on 30 September 1918, and honours the soldiers and civilians who fought on the Macedonia front in the Salonika Campaign, fought in northern Greece, Serbia and Albania during 1915-1918. For more information see the website of the Salonika Campaign Society

The Salonika Campaign is commemorated on the last Saturday and Sunday in September. On the Saturday morning wreaths are laid at the British, French, Serbian, and Italian memorials at the Lembet Road Allied Military Cemetery (CWGC, also known as Zeivtenlik), Lagada Road, near the centre of Thessalonica. On the Sunday morning a memorial service is held at the Polykastro-Kilkis Five Nation Memorial, organised by the Municipality of Polykastro. This is not a war grave or an allied cemetery, but specially constructed memorial site on a hill outside village of Polykastro, just off the 63^rd km of the Thessalonica-Evzoni motorway. After the service speeches are made and the national anthems played. Wreaths are laid at the Greek, British, French, Serbian and Italian memorials, and at the busts of the Prime Ministers of the time of each of these countries.

A commemorative event is also held at the Doirani (Doiran) Memorial (CWGC) on the morning of the nearest Sunday to 21 September, organised by the Municipality of Doirani.

Commemoration of the Battle of Navarino, 1827

Historical Note:

More than 180 years ago in Navarino Bay lay moored the large Ottoman and Egyptian fleet commanded by Ibrahim Pasha. The fleet was essential to the success of the Ottoman Army, which at the time occupied much of the Peloponnese. At around 2pm an allied naval force made up of British, French and Russian ships, led by Sir Edward Codrington, entered the bay and, upon being fired on by the Ottoman fleet, it proceeded to destroy the Ottoman Navy. One can imagine the noise, the cries the thunder of cannons as well as the agony of the 5,000 men who died or were wounded in the battle.

The engagement was decisive in making untenable the position of the Ottoman army and opening the way to the end of Ottoman rule over the heart of mainland Greece. Thus began the flowering of the Greek state, then in its infancy. Without the success of French, Russian and British ships of that day it is not easy to see when and under what circumstances Greece would have gained her freedom.”

Speech made by Naval and Air Attaché, Captain Peter Steel, at the 180thCommemoration on 20 October 2007

The Battle is commemorated each year on 20 October in the town of Pylos, in the Prefecture of Messinia. A parade is followed by speeches at the memorial in the town square. Following this several boats go out to different points in the bay and wreaths are cast into the sea. Representatives of the French, Russian, and British governments usually attend, together with the Greek authorities, dignitaries and Armed Forces. Frigates from each of the four nations are usually moored in the bay for the commemoration.

 

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is held in Athens at Phaleron War Cemetery (CWGC), Alimos. The service begins at 12 noon on the same Sunday as in the UK. (for more information on Remembrance Sunday in general see here). A commemorative event is also usually held on this day at Souda Bay Cemetery (CWGC, at 10:45am) on Crete, Rhodes War Cemetery (CWGC, at 11am), and the British Cemetery on Corfu (CWGC, 11:45am).

The commemorative event in Thessalonica, at the Lembet Road Military Cemetery (CWGC), is held on the morning of the actual day of 11 November, and it is organised by the Municipality of Thessalonica. Wreaths are laid by various dignitaries and consulates at the British, French, Italian, and Russian memorials within the cemetery, and national anthems are played by a military band. Following this, wreaths are laid at the monument to the Unknown Soldier at the 3rd Army Headquarters.  

Operation Harling-Gorgopotamos,

November 25-26 1942

This was the first major act of resistance against the German and Italian occupying forces in Greece by different resistance groups (ELAM and EDES) working in co-operation with the Special Operations Executive. It was also the first major successful sabotage of the Second World War. On the night of 25 November 1942 Gorgopotamos Bridge was destroyed, and thus the mission to sever the railway between Thessalonica and Athens was successfully accomplished, delaying the Germans’ offensive in Northern Africa.

The commemorative event is held on the morning of the penultimate Sunday of November at a special memorial by Gorgopotamos Bridge itself, called the “Place of the National Resistance” (“ Χώρος Εθνικής Αντίστασης ”). Speeches are followed by wreath-laying, and then hospitality is usually offered by the municipality ( http://www.dimosgorgopotamou.gr/index.html ) to all those attending the event.

For the 50^th Anniversary two marble plaques (one in English and one in Greek) were erected outside the cave (known as the “Cave of the Resistance”) in the mountains behind the village of Stromni where the party planned the operation. Access to the cave is via a dirt track from the village. At some point along this road there is a wooden signpost marked in Greek the “ Σπηλιά της Αντίστασης ” (“Cave of the Resistance”). This marks the beginning of a footpath, which after 200m leads to the cave. The cave is within the Municipality of Kallieon ( http://www.kallieon.gr/ ).