Join us to commemorate Oxi Day
Sunday 30 October 2022

October 1940 marks a milestone date in the relationship between Australia and Greece.

Greece defied Mussolini’s ultimatum and entered World War II on October 28. The  successful repulsion of the Italian invasion led to the arrival of Australian troops, alongside British and New Zealand forces, in Greece in anticipation of the inevitable attack from Nazi Germany. Outnumbered and in the face of a better-equipped onslaught the Allied forces undertook the Greek and Cretan campaigns. From late October 1940 until early June 1941 Allied troops were evacuated from Crete. In these adverse circumstances deep bonds of comradeship and respect developed between the Greeks and Australians. In many instances these bonds only grew during the Occupation when Greeks helped hide many Allied troops and both cooperated in their resistance against the occupying forces.

The AAIA in collaboration with the Inner West Council will commemorate Oxi Day:
Sunday 30 from 1:00 for 1:30 start – 4:00pm
Marrickville Town Hall
303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville.

After a wreath-laying ceremony, a panel discussion will be held with award-winning author Kate Forsyth on her recent novel The Crimson Thread (a historical fiction inspired by the ancient myth of the Minotaur interwoven with the story of the Nazi occupation of Crete); archaeologist and WWII expert Dr Michael Bendon, who will discuss his underwater archaeological work in Crete and his book Forgotten Flotilla; and Professor Julia Horne, University Historian (Sydney) and co-director of ‘Beyond 1914‘.

The panel discussion will focus on the 1940-1941 campaigns and the endearing relationship forged between Australia and Greece as a result.

THIS EVENT IS FREE. NO NEED TO REGISTER | CLICK HERE TO ADD A REMINDER TO YOUR CALENDAR

More information
Please contact soh.events@sydney.edu.au for more information.

——

The University of Sydney’s Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, together with the Inner West Council would like to extend their thanks to the Joint Committee of the Battle of Crete, the Cretan Association of NSW and Glebe Books of Dulwich Hill.

Photo: Anzacs in front of the Parthenon (© Australian War Memorial), courtesy of the Joint Committee of the Battle of Crete.

  .