26621 - ANZAC in Tolo

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Vicky Baklessi

On April 27th 1941 the battle in the area of Kaminaki-Lakka Tolo took place. There, the allied forces, among them being ANZAC soldiers, had victims which were sacrificed fighting for the liberty of Greece. And some of the fallen allies have been buried in this area according to testimonies of older Greek residents. But, presently, there is no monument anywhere which makes reference to these people. Testimonies say that they buried them beneath some olive trees that existed then and on each grave they had placed their helmet. In that period the retreat of the allied forces was somewhat disorderly due to the conditions and the difficulties. So now it is difficult to have findings, but the sacrifice of the resistance on that day near Tolo took place and we think it is proper that they are honored. For this reason, we support the local initiative to make a war memorial in honor of the ANZAC. It is important for Greece which has historical connections with Australia and New Zealand with all Greeks who live in these countries, to recognize the value of the struggle of the ANZACs for itself too. The proposition of the Professionals’ Association of Tolo doesn’t have meaning only for the area, but also for Greece. Because it concerns a national recognition, of a human sacrifice against the barbarity of the nazi regime which wanted to exterminate every fighter of Liberty.