Retreat to Thebes and Embarkation

The retreat to Thebes and the sea was one long story of mud and rain under continuous enemy air attack. The roads were terrible and blocked with refugees and traffic.

Major D. R. C. Boileau now took command, vice Lieutenant- Colonel Ashburner, who was evacuated sick. He brought the remains of the Battalion safely back to the coast, where they were eventually taken on board destroyers of the Royal Navy on the night of 28th/29th April.

The Battalion lost in Greece 1 officer killed, 3 wounded and 1 a prisoner, and 150 other ranks.

Crete - May to 2nd June 1941

It was intended that the Battalion should return to Alexandria, but only a small part of it was taken to Egypt, the remainder arriving with the Commanding Officer in Crete. On arrival on 28th April they were swept into the garrison and became engaged in the defence of Canea. They had arrived in the island with their personal weapons and little else.

Within three weeks the German attack started by dropping parachutists in large numbers and for the next ten days sporadic actions took place in and around Canea. One officer and 13 other ranks were evacuated on 1st June, the remainder who had not become casualties eventually being taken prisoner.

The 2nd of June marked the end of these short campaigns in Greece and Crete. The troops had fought against overwhelming superiority in strange and difficult country with no air support and had been involved in retreat after retreat. Finally, with few arms and little ammunition, they had fought until overwhelmed. Four officers were killed in Crete and most of the personnel in the island, including Lieutenant-Colonel Boileau, many of whom were wounded, were made prisoners. One officer and 13 other ranks escaped, as noted above, and a number, left behind, joined the Cretans who continued resistance to the end of the war.

Those who had returned to Egypt formed the cadre round which the Battalion was re-formed.

In June, 1941, Germany invaded Russia.

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