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From
Katakolon Jellico’s force advanced northwards, to seize Patras
and the third largest port in the country and the principal
harbour of the Peleponnese. Here they found the German rearguard
preparing demolitions before withdrawing to the mainland and a
brisk fore fight — in which the six-pounder anti-tank guns of
2908’s support flight played a notable able part, including the
sinking of a German E boat – ensued and the Germans left
hurriedly before hey could cause much damage. Continuing the
advance eastwards to the Corinth Canal, 2908 Squadron crossed
into mainland Greece and reached Megara on the 10th October, and
after an engagement at Megalo Pekvo, entered Athens four day
later. From there he squadron divided into two groups - one
returned to the Peleponnese to pacify Sparta and the other went
north as part of another composite force to harass the Germans
as they retreated towards Yugoslavia. In an
attack on the German rearguard at Kozani, just inside Yugoslavia
Pompforce’ - consisting of two companies of 4th Battalion
Parachute Regiment. a detachment of the SBS and the 2908
Squadron detachment scaled an all most perpendicular rock face
in order to attack the enemy position from the rear. On the road
below an enemy anti-tank gun scored a hit on an armoured car of
2908 Squadron, mortally wounding the flight commander. The
driver, Corporal GH Wingate, although wounded himself. Brought
the vehicle back to safety — and was awarded the Military Medal
for gallantry under fire.
In October 1944 Land Forces Adriatic launched an attack to seize
the port of Sarande — on the Albanian mainland opposite corfu -
to deprive the German Forces retreating northwards from Greece
of an evacuation port. It was decided to reinforce the
formatation (‘Houndforce’) tasked for this operation with a
mountain Warfare/ paratroop company in order to seize the high
ground which overlooked and dominated the harbour.
I (Parachute) Company of the RAF Levies Iraq duly went ashore
and stormed up Hill 246 with such speed that the enemy garrison
was taken by surprise and 96 German soldiers where captured
without any casualties being incurred by the Levies
Extract taken from "Through Adversity" by Kingsley M Oliver with
kind permission from the author Kingsley M Oliver
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