The 4th Hussars arrived in Greece on the 10th of March 1941 having sailed from Alexandria the previous day.
The following is an extract from the War Diary:
10th March, 1030 hrs – The cruiser arrived at PIREUS in Greece.
10th March, 1130 hrs – The Regt disembarked and later had dinner on the quayside, and was then taken in relays, by lorries, to a marshalling camp at GLYFADA, arriving there at 1430 hrs. Men allowed out in the evening.
11th March, 0730 hrs – Ships carrying the Regt’s vehicles arrived at PIREUS. Disembarkation commenced and as the vehicles arrived in camp they were sent to a Greek aircraft factory for re-camouflaging.
12th March, RSM Taylor with 50 ORs and 2 lorries left camp by road for VERIA. More vehicles arrived in camp and were sent for re-camouflaging. A Greek interpreter arrived in camp.
13th March, The CO and Adjt, Major CA Peel, with the interpreter left by road for VERIA. RHQ Tanks and Scout cars left camp for loading on to train, under command of Lt RE Henshaw. Major Cowdell was placed in command of an MT column consisting of 44 Officers, 1530 ORs, 373 lorries and 106 MCs, which is to proceed to VERIA, leaving camp tomorrow. Rain again fell this evening making conditions cold, wet and miserable.
14th March, 0630 hrs – Regtl wheeled vehicles left GLYFADA, at the head of the column referred to above, and proceeded to ATALANTI via ATHENS, ELEPEIO, MANDRA, THIVIE and LEVADIA, distance 128 miles. Snow and wintry conditions were encountered during the journey. All personnel spent the night in a school at ATALANTI. The column was diverted after LEVADIA via the coast route, owing to the mountain pass South of LAMIA being reported as impassable. The remainder of the Regt’s Tanks were loaded onto 2 trains during the morning. These trains with 11 Officers and 84 ORs, under command Major Dollar and Major Clements, left ATHENS for VERIA.
14th March, 1600 hrs – The train with RHQ Tanks and Scout cars, under Lt Henshaw, arrived at SKYDRA station.
14th March, 1630 hrs – The CO and Adjt arrived at VERIA and met Lt Henshaw’s party and fixed them up in a field for the night. Lt Ransom was left at GLYFADA in command of 1st Reinforcements – 4 Officers and 55 ORs.
The campaign in Greece was hindered by poor communications between the Greek and Allied commanders, the difficult terrain and the under-developed road and rail system.
