Greece 1944-45

Until December the 11th Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. G. Henshaw, O.B.E., was spread out over a large area from Trikala and Larissa in the north to Athens in the south. At the beginning of December the Greek Communist troops, E.L.A.S., began to march on Athens and attempted to seize power by a coup d'etat. British troops at once became involved against the Communist rebels.

On 11th December the Battalion took part in the civil war in Athens. The problems of fighting in a large town, the difficulty of telling friend from foe, and the dirty tactics employed by E.L.A.S. made the task a particularly unpleasant one. Full-scale operations were involved, including a battalion attack on Ardhittos Hill on 18th December.

The Battalion took a very prominent part in the final operations which cleared Athens and ended the civil war at the beginning of January.

They remained in Greece on occupational duties until they were disbanded in 1946.

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