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
Part of the Balkans campaign during World War II

Tempe Gorge c. 1941
Date18 April 1941
Location
Tempe Gorge, Greece
Result

Allied victory

  • German advance delayed.
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:
80 killed or wounded
120 captured

New Zealand:
4 killed or wounded
140 killed or wounded
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