Difference between revisions 121772676 and 121772679 on dewiki

[[Image:Work fight or perish (RC02370).jpg|thumb|An Australian Government leaflet bearing the likeness and signature of Prime Minister [[John Curtin]], telling Australians that they must make sacrifices for the war effort.]]
(contracted; show full)Battle of Cape Matapan]] in late March. When the Germans invaded Greece in early April the greatly outnumbered Allied force was rapidly  driven from the Greek mainland. The Australians conducted a fighting withdrawal from their initial positions in northern Greece and were evacuated from southern Greece between 24 April and 1 May.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 144-146.</ref>

While most of the 6th Division returned to Egypt, the 19th Brigade Group was sent to [[Crete]] where it formed a key part of 
[[Crete order of battle|the island's defences]]. The Brigatde was initially successful in holding its positions when [[Battle of Crete|German paratroopers landed]] on [[20 May]], but was gradually forced to retreat. After several key airfields were lost the Allies were forced to evacuate the island's garrison. Approximately 3,000 members of the 6th Division could not be evacuated and were taken prisoner.<ref>Coulthard-Clark (2001). Page 190.</ref>

(contracted; show full)
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/index.html |title=Australia's War 1939—1945 |accessdate= |author= |date= |work= |publisher=[[Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)|Department of Veterans' Affairs]] }}


{{Australian Military History}}
{{WWIIHistory}}

[[Category:Military history of Australia during World War II| ]]