Battle of Tempe Gorge
The Battle of Tempe Gorge, also known as the Battle of Pinios Gorge, was a rearguard action fought by Australian and New Zealand troops during the German invasion of Greece on 18 April 1941. The battle was fought amidst the advance of German forces through central Greece, and saw a brigade-sized element dubbed "Anzac Force" fight a delaying action against elements of two German divisions, supported by armoured forces. During a day of hard fighting, the defending Anzacs suffered heavy casualties and were forced back from the gorge, but their stand allowed other Allied forces to withdraw through Larissa, and afterwards a new defensive position was established around Thermopylae.
Battle of Tempe Gorge | |||||||
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Part of the Balkans campaign during World War II | |||||||
Tempe Gorge c. 1941 | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Australia New Zealand | Germany | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Arthur Samuel Allen |
Ferdinand Schörner Hermann Balck | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Australian 16th Brigade New Zealand 21st Battalion |
2nd Panzer Division 6th Mountain Division | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 brigade | 1-2 divisions (elements) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Australian: 4 killed or wounded | 140 killed or wounded |
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