Another historical snapshot capturing the intensity and the fervor of the local residents shortly before the climax of the battles.

As the war in Greece was approaching its most dramatic turning point, the lens of Lt. L. B. Davies captured a particularly dynamic moment on 21 April 1941.

The Story of the Photograph

In the photograph with reference code E 2539 from the Imperial War Museum, we see a British military truck moving at speed toward the front-line areas (“forward areas”). The original caption of the time characteristically notes: “To the front! A British truck heads toward the front line, while local residents cheer them along the route.”

The atmosphere of the time

The date, 21 April, is crucial. On that day, Allied forces were fighting rearguard actions in an effort to delay the German advance. Despite the critical nature of the situation, the image of local residents “cheering” the soldiers reflects the high morale and the warm reception that the people of our region extended to the Allies, even as the enemy was only a short distance away.

The route

Although the dirt road visible in the image was difficult to traverse, the determination conveyed by the vehicle’s movement and the reaction of the crowd together form a unique frame from the wartime history that passed through our area.

Date Taken: 21 April 1941
Photographer: Lt. L. B. Davies (No. 1 Army Film and Photo Section)
Source: Imperial War Museum (IWM E 2539)

Image Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205543760