Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 28

WX2173 Pte. McDowall. D.R.    Attached in Crete to B. Coy. 2/7 Fld.
WX2360   "    McDowall. J.         Amb. from medical personnel
WX1873    "    Prestedge. G.E.        2/11 Btn.
NX15302 Pte. Hackett. P.           "     "        "    from 2/1 Btn.
WX3592 Pte. Burkhardt. W.      H.Q.Coy. 2/7 Fld. Amb. Missing from
P.O.W. Hospital No. 2.
26. March '41 - The unit arrived at Amriyah during the afternoon from
Mersa Matruh. Transport vehicles with bulk of heavy/sto
stores, but excluding ambulance cars, went to the marshalling
yards, prepartory to the trip to Alexandria.
On this day contact was made with the 2/13 Fld Amb.,
another West. Aust. unit.
27.      "     '41 -  Transport, commanded by Lt. Oakley, left early for
Alexandria, and our mobile A.D.S. arrived. It did 
not come up to expectations, as some of the canvas
off the walls was missing, and the design was not as
originally submitted by Lt. Col. Clark.
29.      "     '41 - Visited by Lt. Col. Clark of the 2/9 A.G.H. Ambulance
cars sent to marshalling yards. 2/5 Fld. Amb.,
A.I.F., lent us two vehicles to see us through the remainder
of our stay in Amriyah, and Capt. P. Thomas
joined us from 2/5 Btn. replacing Capt. D. McPherson
with whom he had changed places.
30.      "     '41 - Ambulance cars left early for Alexandria. Capts.
Bryan, Thomas and King joined transports to act as
M.O.s for trip to Greece.
1. April '41 - Capt. Mayrhofer to Alexandria to join transport as M.O.
9. April '41 - Maj. Wallace took advance party to wharf to prepare
for units embarkation.
10.    "    '41 - Early rise at 0400 hrs. reached wharf by train at
0930 hrs. and embarked. Reached open sea at 2230 hrs.
12.     "    '41 - Uneventful voyage, arrived at Piraeus. Unable to
disembark, put to sea again.
13.    "      '41 - (Easter Sunday) Disembarked, met by our own transport,
told that vessel carrying our ambulance cars had been
hit during air-raid injuring drivers Hillman and Moore.
Taken to Voulos No. 2 Camp where lads settled in. Of
Officers already landed, Capts. Bryan and King and Lt.
Oakley were present, Capt. Thomas and Capt. Mayrhofer
being forward with other units.
14.    "      '41 - News of a move. A.Coy. and H.Q.Coy. moved off at 1400
hrs. Major Palandri remaining with rear party. Driver
Moore suffered a secondary haemorrhage on this night
and died.
15.    "       '41 - German raiders bombing Piraeus passed over camp low
down/on return trip, one limping badly. Capt. Mayrhofer
returned to unit. Arrangements in hand to establish and
conduct a tented convalescent depot for sick and lightly
wounded. After driving all day and night, A. & H.Q.Coys.
returned during late afternoon and all available transport 
with two M.O.s and party went to Reuff Station to
receive casualties. Everything ready by 2000 hrs. but
they did not arrive in any great numbers until late the
following morning.

16. Apr. 41. - Morning spent in preparation for and reception of cases.
Dvr. Moores' funeral in the afternoon.
17.   "     41. - Orders to move. A.Coy. led off at about 1500hrs. followed
by greater part of H.Q. with some B.Coy., all by road.
B Coy., and remainder of H.Q. were to remain as rear party.
However after striking camp, they were transported to Reuff.
Station, there took delivery of goods from Medical Stores
and Red Cross and pulled out at 2200 Hrs.
18.    "    41. - Road party arrived at Gravia 0930 hrs. A.Coy. under Major
Wallace continued over Brallos Pass and established A.D.S.
just south of Lamia on flats. Gravia Party retired at about
1530 hrs to Leleia and there established M.D.S. in trees
along a river flanking the main road. This spot was distant
about ¼ mile S.W. from Leleia Station where road had
crossed railway. Train party had reached Leleia at 2100hrs.
and were conducted to M.D.S.
19. Apr. 41. - Lt.Col. Le Souef, Major Palandri and Capt. Gallash went
up Brallos Pass, contacted Brig. Vasey re siting of rear
A.D.S. and looked over north-end of the pass just after
J.U.87.s had bombed the road not far from A.Coy. A.D.S.
During the afternoon Major Wallace brought his men back to
a spot just west of main road 2 miles south of M.D.S.
which had been working at almost full bore since going into
action. Capt. Gallash took a small party  and established
A.D.S. in late afternoon at south end of summit of Brallos
Pass, not far from 19 Bde. H.Q., unfortunately near twin
dumps of ammonal and gelignite, the/only available spot at
which ambulances could turn. Two of B.Coy.s nursing
personnel were left at Gravia Station to conduct a small
post.
20. Apr. 41. - 0700 hrs. at M.D.S. a high flying Heinkel dropped a medium
calibre bomb in the camp site, wrecked an M.A.C. ambulance,
killed the crew of two, and wounded two H.Q. men, severley
damaging the operating tent. At about the same hour a
lucky bomb blew up the gelignite dump at the A.D.S. wrecking
or damaging all vehicles in the vicinity, but miraculously
not affecting the ammonal. Of nearby troops, one
was killed and five wounded, but no ambulance personnel
were touched. Capt. Mayrhofer, with a road convoy returning
from the C.C.S. had his trip made more exciting by the constant
attention of enemy planes.
During mid-day and early afternoon the main portion of the
M.D.S. was shifted from what promised to be an unhealthy
spot to another about a mile around the western limb of
the Leleia-Gravia-Brallos-Leleia loop, but half through
the move, with a lot of gear and tentage, most of the M.T.
and half the personnel still on the old site, 14 J.U.87.s
dropped everything they had on them. The target was obviously
the road and the two bridges near but the shooting
was bad and, again very luckily, no man was hit and no gear
or transport was damaged.
A.Coy. was machine-gunned without casualties, and reinforcements 
were sent to Capt. Gallash.
21. Apr. 41. - Ambulance patrol maintained on road through Brallos to
pick up local casualties. Another stretcher-squad to
Capt. Gallash, and a post established ½-1 mile north along
pass at the 'beer house".

22. Apr. 41. - Work slacking off a little at the M.D.S. for 2-3 days.
Major Palmer, 17 Bde. Salvation Army Officer had done
excellent comfort works for patient and personnel at
M.D.S. Separated from their unit and with the M.D.S.
since 18 April, were also Lt. Col. Salter, Capt. McIndoe
and Padre Frean, all of 2/2 Fld. Amb. A.I.F. The first
two rejoined their unit this day.
During the evening Lt. Col. Le Souef, acompanied to A.D.S
Major Palandri, who relieved Capt. Gallash and brought
extra squads and two ambulances. The three Officers
visited 19 Bde. H.Q. to go into the question of evacuating
casualties from 2/1 and 2/11 Btns. forward. These units 
were inaccessible to hand-carriage and attempts were made
to secure mules.
The nursing orderlies at Gravia were transferred to Brallos,
as work at the former was impossible due to continuous
bombing.
23. Apr. 41. - During the morning Bde. H.Q. informed Major Palandri that
arrangements for evacuations from forward units were to
be disregarded as the Btns. were to withdraw. The M.D.S.
was ordered to dump all gear and to prepare for evacuation
the following day. During the evening the "beer-house"
party returned to the A.D.S. and at 2000 hrs. the
whole party went back to the little village 1 mile south
of Brallos, picking up the Brallos party on the way.
Capt. Mayrhofer took the bulk of the men back to the M.D.S.
Major Palandri and 12 O.R.s remaining at the post. An
ambulance remained on the pass to bring back late casualties,
with orders to retire at 0600 hrs. on 24 April, but
as it was learned that an intervening bridge was to be
destroyed at 0500 hrs. the withdrawal hour was changed
from 0600 hrs. to 0300 hrs.
24. Apr. 41.^x - ^xA.D.S. awakened early by
three M.E. 109's bombing its' village and putting an M.G.
burst into an ambulance before recognising it-- no serious
damage. Information received that M.D.S. was to withdraw
10 miles south of Leleia at 1100 hrs., the A.D.S. to
follow at 1500 hrs. On reaching the rendezvous the M.D.S.
convoy well red-crossed, was bombed by a number of Heinkels
and three of its' ambulances ruined, with marvellous
escapes by personnel from injury and death. A.Coy. a few
miles further south was not so lucky, four men being
wounded by M.G. fire. Four ambulance cars were left one
with each of 2/1, 2/4, and 2/11 Btns. and 2/1 Fld. Regt.
At 2030 hrs. the unit's transport embussed all personnel
and joined a large convoy going south. Tentage and
material of M.D.S. were left in site undamaged.
25. Apr. 41. - In very early morning arrived at embarkation port, left
transport in a large assembly area where it was camouflaged,
men joining other units in a large olive-grove
where day was spent lying doggo from searching German
planes. During late afternoon transport was destroyed
and during the night 3000 odd troops and nurses were embarked
without mishap.
26. Apr. 41. - Those of the unit who travelled on destroyer had an
uneventful trip, those on a transport had a thrilling
time from air-raids, the only casualty being the C.O.
with a small splinter in one hand. Both parties landed
in Crete, being taken to different camps.
27. Apr. 41. - The bulk of the unit after marches varying from 12-19
miles arrived at camp-site in olive-grove N.W. of Neon
Korion alongside 2/2 and 2/1 Fld. Amb., waifs and strays
blowing in during the next few days.

28. Apr. 41. - Capt. Mayrhofer detached for service with 6th Aus. Div.H.Q.
29.   "         . - Still at Neon Korion in 19th Bde. area. H.Q. Coy. took
over from 189 Fld. Amb. (British) the school-house which
was used as a small surgical centre. The gear left by
the 189th was all we possessed apart from a few field-dressings
and shell-dressings and a little morphia. Cases
were to be evacuated to Souda and Kania.
30.   "         . - Padre Frean and Major Palmer returned to units. Our unit
shifted short distance away to an olive-grove south of
the school-house.
2. May  "     . - Capt. King detached for duty with 19 Bde. H.Q. as M.O. to
"odds and sods". Capt. Mayrhofer returned to unit.
5.       "         . - Major Wallace, Capt. Mayrhofer and 24 A.Coy. men sent to
Georgiopolis to conduct a dressing-station, with a few
stretchers, two R.D. tents, a small box of dressings and
drugs etc. blankets and rations. Capt. King returned to
unit.
5-11 May "   . - Home-and-home bridge matches with Officers of 2/2 Fld. Amb.
12.       "        . - During night, raiders carried out desultory bombing of
area, a string of 4 duds falling across B.Coy. area, one
about 10 yards away from 2 sleeping men who knew nothing
of it until they awoke. In the afternoon, Major Palandri,
Capt. King and 16 men were sent to establish a post, and,
while passing Georgiopolis, Capt. Mayrhofer and Capt. King
exchanged places. B.Coy.s site was finally chosen in an
olive-grove ¼ mile S.E. of village Adele, approx. 4-5
miles east of Rethymon. Epuipment consisted of two R.D.
tents, blankets, two stretchers, a pannier of drugs and
dressings, and rations. The remainder of the unit moved
west, closer to the old 19 Bde. H.Q. site into a protected
area.
13.       "      . - Main bulk of unit under Lt.Col. Le Souef moved into old
19 Bde. H.Q. site. Major Palandri contacted Major Ford,
O.C. Greeks in area.
14.      "       . - Capt. Gallash with remaining of B.Coy. four R.D. tents,
ten stretchers, blankets and a few odds and ends of equipment
joined Major Palandri.
15.       "       . - Majors Ford and Palandri to Rethymon, visited Greek H.Q.
to investigate possibility of obtaining medical supplies
from the Greek Stores in Kania--much promised.
16.       "       . - Limited M.T. in area, a few vehicles under control of C.O.
2/1 Btn. O.C. area, evacuation of patients to be by trucks
returning empty from local Btns. and D.I.D. to 19 Bde.
H.Q. at Georgiopolis, thence to Souda. Visited in the
evening by our C.O. and Capt. Howes (Q.M.) and Captain
Bunting from Bde. Patients mounting as no transport had
come past. Capt. Bunting took two patients back with him.
A few of H.Q. personnel were left with us.
17.       "       . - Major Palandri, S.Sgt. and S.B.Sgt. visited 2/11 Btn. and
arranged that three relays of bearers should carry casualties
to A.D.S. in case of hostilities. The same party
and Capt. Gallash visited 2/1 Btn. in the evening from
whom it was arranged that five relays of bearers should
carry back to A.D.S. Wounded from Gunners and M.G.Coys.
to come through Btns. to which they were attached. As
S.M.O. of Area, Major Palandri arranged with Major Ford
that M.O.s of, Greek Btns. should consult with him (Major
Palandri) re their system of handling wounded.

18. May. 41. - Capt. Mayrhofer to D.I.D. to hand in new ration strength
and check system of supply. Major Ford and Capt. Gallash
to Rethymon re obtaining drugs and equipment from local
pharmacies and civilian clinics--little luck. Also, investigated
chances of evacuating cases from Rethymon to
Georgiopolis by caique, found not practicable. C.O. 2/1
Btn. was asked to make sure that no vehicles went back to
Georgiopolis without visiting A.D.S. He promised us one
or two vehicles for medical use as soon as possible.
Twenty odd cases being held. Piquets stationed on road
to stop all vehicles going west. Greek M.O.s called on
Major Palandri. They occupied local school-house as A.D.S.
but had no stretchers, almost no equipment, and no method
of evacuation. Arranged they improvise stretchers, and
have two squads from R.A.P.s to A.D.S. Whatever gear
could be spared was promised to them. Agree that they
should handle their own cases.
19.   "     . - Capt. Gallash again to Rethymon, obtained a little more
equipment. Nothing yet from Greek or our own H.Q. in
spite of repeated indents to both from A.D.S. covering
needs of A.D.S. and all Btns. Two tents from 2/7 H.Q.Coy.
20.   "    . - In morning large slow enemy planes (J.U.52s) seen out to
sea going west, apparently towing gliders- much speculation
as to significance. Aerial activity much more marked,
and C.O. visited us again. Immediately he had gone the
fun started. A short "hate" preceeded the arrival of
J.U.52.s in droves and clouds of parachutes were seen to
drop from low altitude in 2/11 lines, between us and
Rethymon, great fears for our C.O's safety. Sounds of
heavy firing also from direction of 2/1 lines. According
to previous arrangements, our bearer squads were to
remain at the A.D.S. until called for, which was during
the/evening, and late in the evening casualties began to
come. Until this day the A.D.S. had remained hidden from
the air with absolute insistence on cover and dispersal.
As soon as the "blitz" started the area was marked by two
large improvised red crosses.
21.  "      . - At about 0700 hrs. firing appeared to be very close and
everyone took cover. Almost immediately a group of
heavily armed Germans about 20 strong, who had broken
through our 2/1 Btn. lines to our N.E. appeared amongst
us. We were lined up and our jack-knives and a few arms
were confiscated. Patients were separated from the
the Medical personnel and sick from wounded. The sick
were lined up separately, obviously not battle casualties,
and it seemed that they were "for it" but a little explanation
smoothed things out. Kits were examined, but nothing
was taken, and the Germans informed us that we were
prisoners and to behave ourselves "or else". As they
were going towards the 2/11 Btn. they were asked to respect
any of our bearers whom they might meet, in spite of which
they subsequently commandeered two to carry equipment.
These two had hair-raising experiences before escaping
the same day. Casualties coming in steadily, our own,
German and Greek, plus Cretan civilians. Greek arrangements
apparently not working well, as all their cases
were to have been attended by their own men at school.
15 cwt. truck allotted to us by 2/1 Btn. arrangements
made for guard for prisoners- later small detachment of
"Royal Corps of Signals" joined us with an 8 cwt. truck.
S.O.S. sent to Btns. for German medical equipment as ours
is very low. Tents for patients. Very short of blankets.

22. May. 41. - Lots of wounded coming in, together with German supplies
Working under great difficulties, more tents put up-some
some sent to us by Btn. Operating tent in action.
German bomb dropped close by otherwise scrupulously respected.
2 small staging posts established in Pigi village,
one for our own, another for German casualties-cleared to
us by trucks. Germans practically cleaned up in 2/1 lines,
but a large number of casualties to be evacuated from their
R.A.P. east of Pigi aerodrome. By now the German casualties
were being attended by two of their own M.O.s and a
number of orderlies to whom tents and equipment had been
allotted, the Greeks being attended by two or three M.O.s
and medical students. All work of any difficulty from
all sections was being done in our operating tent by Capts.
Gallash and Mayrhofer. Absolutely no communication west
of Rethymon, and all cases to be held. C.O. 2/1 Btn.
holding out no immediate hope of their evacuation.
23.   “    .- Work continuous. More materials and tents, and some blankets
from Btns. who were sending in parachutes as well, to
cut as bandages or to be used as cover for patients. More
tents being put up, and cases flowing from direction of
2/11 and 2/1 Btns. The two small trucks were evacuating
cases from Pigi village, and also going through, across
the “No-Mans-Land” of the aerodrome to clear the German
R.A.P. They were assisted by bearers squads while evacuation
from the 2/11 Btn. was by 3-ton truck. Greeks and
Cretans dribbled in from time to time. At the beginning
of the action three stretchers had been lent to Btns.
eight were in use by the relays of squads, leaving only
one for use at the A.D.S., but at this stage German
folding-stretchers had eased the tension considerably.
During the afternoon the 8 cwt. truck, with an English
Cpl. as driver flying a large red-cross, and carrying
Ptes. Miller, McLeod, and Adams as orderlies, was passing
the aerodrome en route for the German R.A.P. when it was
fired on by an enemy plane. The truck was destroyed,
McLeod killed and Adams and the driver wounded, the latter
subsequently dying. Second local aerial blitz in the
afternoon, another Red Cross flown above central tree of
A.D.S.
24.  "  .- Busy day. From to-day the German had use of separate
operating tent and dressing tent.
Figures.........Australian Patients 147
German        "             252
Greek             "              51
25.   "  .- Still very busy. 80 walking-wounded transferred to prison
compound to relieve strain. To be visited daily by German
M.O. Major Palandri spoke to the C.O. of 2/1 Btn. again
re possibility of evacuating worst cases by sea to Souda
or Alexandria, but had no luck. Indents for medical equipment
were handed in to the 2/1 Btn. for despatch to C.O.
2/7 Fld. Amb. and to Force HQ. Two British planes came
over low and dropped two cannisters of medical supplies,
one of which was badly smashed.
26.   "  .- A party of Germans had succeeded in digging across Souda
road at Rethymon and an attempt to dislodge them brought
us in a further batch of casualties. Tents now occupied
were--Australian 15, German 8, Greek/4. More in reserve,
being used as covering instead of blankets of which there
were very few. Capts. Carter and Ryan, M.O.s to 2/1 and
2/11 Btns. extremely helpful in sending us in salvaged
German supplies, reversing the normal flow from A.D.S. to
Btn. R.A.P. Without their help the A.D.S. could not have
functioned. A little more in the way of supplies was
dropped by Blenheims this afternoon.

27. May. 41.- Another 2/11 attack on Rethymon, Germans brought us more
business. Four M.E. 110s came over low but left us alone.
Area liberally decorated with crosses made of parachute-silk,
Greek blankets, anything.
Casualties in A.D.S. Australian 173
German 240
Greek 60
The last named now to do their own cooking and rationing,
instead of being supplied from our own cook-house.
28.  "   .- Another attack on Rethymon. Capt. Ryan captured, but,
before released arranged for with German M.O. for safe passage
through to Georgiopolis of trial load of cases from A.D.S.
C.O. of 2/1 approved use of a truck for the purpose, and
it set off under S/Sgt. Lawrence, with Australian driver,
German orderly, and three wounded each from our cases and 
German. However they were stopped at enemy lines by an
N.C.O. who had apparently been given no instructions, and
turned back. Critical moment, as some of the Greeks being
excited, attempted to snipe the Germans during the parley.
German M.O.s and orderlies doing good work at A.D.S.
Casualties in A.D.S. Australian 170
German 235
Greek 60
New cooking and rationing arrangements unworkable, still
being done in our cook-house.
29.   "   .- Ugly rumours from Kania, Malemes and Souda. Work still
heavy. Three tonner with big red cross machine-gunned by
two, of three M.E.110s. Capt. Gallash spread over a tree
a big red cross mounted on a whole parachute.
Casualties in A.D.S. Australian 181
German 232
Greek 62
30.   "   .- Day began with rumours that Greeks had caved in and that
2/11 Btn. had fallen back to hold both lines. Followed
immediately by news that enemy tanks, motor-cycle troops,
etc. had come through from Souda, and that 2/1 and 2/11
Btns. had stopped fighting, many attempting to reach the
south coast. Great jubilation amongst the Germans who
immediately began to arrange evacuation of casualties by
air to Greece. Many of theirs and three of ours sent off
today. Padre McConchie of 2/11 and Capt. Carter joined 
us. Last of our rations eaten at lunch.
31.   "  .- Capt. Carter and seven men and some of our wounded were
transferred to a large building in Rethymon, on which he
reported unfavourably because of filth and the fact that
it, and the small grounds were occupied by upwards of
2,000 Greeks. Lieut. Hochenleiter (Senior German M.O.)
at A.D.S. was distressed, as he had selected the best
building available. More Australian wounded evacuated by
air.
1. June   .- Our last remaining Australi^an patients sent to Greece this
morning, (all Germans preceded them) and some Greeks.
Remainder of Greeks and 60 of ours at Rethymon. Our Admission
and Discharge, And Records of Deaths and Burials
went to Rethymon in a black box in the first truck of the
day and were taken over by the Germans, who refused to
return them.
All tents were struck and folded and the A.D.S. site cleaned
up, after which the rear-party under Major Palandri joined
the others in Rethymon in the early afternoon. No cigarettes
for the last week or so, and no prospects of more.
Men smoking dreadful concoctions, all olive-trees in area
practically ring-barked.

2. June. 41.- Capt. Carter and men who had been on duty with wounded for
two days were replaced by those who had arrived yesterday.
Total British wounded, medical personnel, and odd prisoners
here about 160, occupying about a third of this large building,
apparently Lands Dept. Office, Law Courts, etc. most
of remainder and almost whole of grounds crowded with Greeks.
Greeks very noisy all day and all night, difficult to sleep,
and extremely primitive in methods of sanitation. Our
latrine an open deep trench with boards to squat on.
Diet of unboiled rice and raisins, almost unsweetened, a
little bread or biscuit and black tea. Filling, but
monotonous and certainly a great cure for constipation.
Visited the German Hospital, then, with Lieut. Hochenleiter,
interviewed the Town Commandant, who promised variation of
ration as soon as possible.
3.  "  .- Usual difficulties with Greeks re sanitation. Arranged
through Germans that Greeks and Australians should use
separate portions of building exclusively, which enabled
us to keep ours clean. Being helped considerably by Lt.
Hochenleiter, who proved a good friend. Nightly fun and
games with the fleas, and continuous serenade by donkeys.
4.  "  .- Visited three times during the day by German Officers, each
with different instructions re evacuation of casualties
and a proportion of Medical Staff. Final arrangements were
that all patients were to be ready next morning by 0630 hrs.
with one M.O. and three nursing orderlies.
By vigorous picketing all day kept our friends the Greeks,
out of our portion of the building, which was thoroughly
cleaned. Further representations were made to the Guard
re improvement of Greek sanitation, without ultimate result.
Succeeded in obtaining wood and tools from the guard with
which Ptes. Elson, Burkhardt, and Shier built a most
luxurious "family six-holer" in one hour before night-fall.
Most welcome change this evening was a meal of boiled beans
with salt, into which the Officers (patients and staff)
mixed a tin of Bully and one M.& V.
5.  "  .- Patients ready on the stroke of 0630 hrs. and during the
morning 36 patients, Capt. Gallash, Padre McConchie, and
six nursing orderlies went by air to Athens, which presumably
was the destination of two others of our men, who
disappeared. A previous two had gone W.L. on 31 May.
Our six-holer was duly installed over a new pit, to the
great content of everyone--much patronised. Informed
during the afternoon, that, due to lack of air transport
to take us direct to Athens, the remainder of us, approx.
100 were to start on foot to Kania the following morning.
6.  "  .- Up at 0345 hrs., a bite of breakfast, then away towards
Kania, carrying all our possessions with sufficient bread
and raisins to see us through the day. Capt. Carter and
Cpl. Drysdale the cook, were to follow us on the ration
waggon. The column of about 2000 men, Greeks and British,
carried on until 0820 hrs. when there was a break if several hrs
until about 1330 hrs., reaching Georgiopolis at 1800 hrs.,
a distance of about 23 miles. Everyone had had enough, and
the feet of many were in a bad state, due to worn-out boots.
Barely had we reached our destination than a German M.O.
rode up on a motor cycle, and informed is that, as transport
was now available for Athens, we were to return to
Rethymon!! We did the return trip by truck and motor cycle
the last load making porth about 2300 hrs. This party
consisted of all Australian and ^one Greek M.O.s and 50 A.M.C.
personnel (all of 2/7 Fld. Amb. still remaining, and a few
attached personnel.)

We knew, before falling asleep, that we had to be at Pigi
aerodrome by 0600 hrs. next morning.
7. June. 41.- Up at 0330 hrs. away at 0415 hrs. and the seven miles covered
by 0557 hrs., which we thought was not bad after the
previous days jaunt. Unfortunately we had to wait until
midday for the next move when ^only Major Palandri, Capt.
Mayrhofer, and 22 other ranks were taken off. The remainder
returned to Rethymon by truck. The two Officers
on arrival, were taken on strength of No. 1 P.O.W.Hospital,
Piraeus Kokinis, the men going to No. 2 Convalescent Depot.
At No. 1 P.O.W. Hospital were found Pte. Adams, wounded on
Crete, and Ptes. Solomon, Ticklie, Mellowship and Tucker,
wounded in Greece, and Pte. Williams sick in Greece, and
Ptes. Boag and Sanderson, stowaways from Crete, all on the
staff except Adams and Williams. Capt. Gallash and party
not here, presumably at No. 3 Hospital.
8.  "  .- To-day Capt. Carter arrived from Crete and was taken on
strength at No. 1. Hospital. The remainder of the men
who were with him went to No. 2. Hospital.
Note.--The German parachute troops who came to our A.D.S. at
Pigi, both as patients and as medical personnel, were
of exceptionally good type both mentally and physically.
We got on very well together, and Lt. Hochenleiter the
senior of the M.O.s was most efficient in handling his
section of the post. They were obviously grateful for,
a and impressed by, the fact that their rations and general
treatment were the same as those given our own men---
apparently did not expect it.
Lt. Hochenleiters appreciation took a practical form after
our transfer to Rethymon, as he was to us there a good
friend as go-between with the authorities, and in obtaining
for us supplies, both officially and unofficially,
especially in the matter of such tobacco and cigarettes
as he could scrounge.
J.D.P.

From the 8 July 1941 onwards the personnel mentioned in the entries
of 7-8, June remained on the Staff of the Hospital to which they
were attached. At No. 1 Major Palandri and Capt. Mayrhofer were
in charge of wards. Capt. Carter was assistant anaesthetist, Pte.
Solomon, a masseur, and the others on general duties. Soon after
our arrival Pte. Williams was transferred as convalescent to No. 2.
and , later, to its Staff, to which were attached also all those
who had arrived there on 7-8 June.
On 4 July, Pte. Shier, E.G. was transferred from No. 2 Hospital
to No. 1 suffering from rheumatic fever. On 11 July No. 3 P.O.W.
Hospital Athens was closed, and Capt. Gallash, Padre McConchie,
six nursing orderlies and Ptes. Stewart and Sutherland (air stowaways
from Crete) were transferred to No. 2 Hospital, Piraeus
and the men placed on its Staff. On the 21 July, Ptes. Boag and 
Sanderson were transferred from the Staff of No. 1 Hospital to
that of No. 2. Late in June, Pte. Kneale of H.Q. Coy. 2/7 Fld.
Amb. arrived at No. 1 Hospital by sea from Crete in charge of a few
sick, with the information that several members of the unit,
together with Capt. King and Lt. Oakey, were in the same convoy
and had continued on, presumably to Salonika. He told us that
our C.O., Lt. Col Le Souef, had been a prisoner in Crete. Pte.
Kneale was transferred to the Staff of No. 2 Hospital. At No. 1
Hospital a patient from Crete informed Pte. Mellowship that after
he had been taken prisoner, he had been treated by a Major of the
2/7 Fld. Amb. whose description tallied with that of Major Wallace.
We were informed by Pte. Kneale also, that about 50 of the unit
had been evacuated from Crete, including most of the N.C.O.s and,
presumably Capts. Gillet, Bryan, Howes and Sullivan. So far as
is known, therefore, the fate of the officers was as follows.....
H.Q.Coy. Lt.Col. LE Souef.
Lt. Oakley.
A.Coy. Major Wallace.
Capt. King Prisoners of War in Crete.
B.Coy. Major Palandri.
Capt. Gallash.
Capt. Mayrhofer.
H.Q.Coy. Capt. Gillett.
Capt. Bryan. Presumed escaped from Crete.
Capt. Howes.
Capt. Sullivan. 
A.Coy. Capt. Thomas, uncertain, as he was serving
with another unit on Crete.
Except for those at No. 1 and No. 2 P.O.W. Hospital, Piraeus, on
28 July 1941, the whereabouts of the men of the unit are unknown
to Major Palandri.
B.Coy.          Pte. Mcleod Angus.- killed on Crete,
                     23 May 1941.
Note:- One man, Dvr. Clements, was lost at that port in Greece
from which the unit was evacuated, and was reported to me
later as having been seen at the P.O.W. Compound at Corinth.