What really happened with 'Operation Demon'

Hi
I am looking for related records related to 'Operation Demon' evacuation.
My grandfather was killed in action between 24th&25th April 1941. My Mum has been researching for a few years now and seems to be hitting a brick wall when trying to find any related evidence on those few days leading up to the evacuation.
I would be most grateful if any of you kind members could send any information or have any reference sites of where to continue to search for the truth...

Regards Su B)

 

Su,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Here is an Australian website which provides some details of German Attacks on the relevent days you mentioned.

Greece; a flawed campaign that cost us dearly

Just a start, but every little piece helps to form the greater picture.

I wish you luck with your research.

If you have not already obtained service records I advice that you do so and at least you know which Division, regiment, unit thet your Grandfather served in.

With that information, post as much as you can and let the forum members help you as much as we possibly can.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi
Does anyone have or can direct me to where I can find more information on the evacuation Nauplia 1941. My Grandfather was in the 1st Field Butchery, Royal Army Service Corp. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find what really happened between 24th-25th April 1941.
My Mum has been researching for a few years and we have now hit a wall.
B)

 

Hi Tom
Thank you for that..
My Grandfather was in the Leonard George Morris S13278
Acting WO11 SQMS
1st Field Butchery
Royal Army Service Corp.
Thank again

 

Have you been in contact with the Brotherhood of Veterans of the Greek Campaign.

The secretary put this on Peoples War, by his name he included his phone number...

BBC - WW2 People's War - "Operation Demon" H.M.S. Hero.

Or google them.

Pete

 

Welcome to the forum.
Only war diary I can find listed on TNA website is for 1940.
Detecting your browser settings
WO 167/1119

1 Field Butchery Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)
Covering dates1939 Sept.-1940 May
Cheers Owen..
I am going to visit the National Archives soon...

 

Hi
Please could anyone help me find information on 'Operation Demon'.
My Grandfather was killed in action at sea between 25/26th April 1941.
His name Leonard George Morris S/13278
S.Q.M.S (WO11)
1 Field Butchery
R.A.S.C
I am trying to locate which vessel he might of boarded, also from which bay it set sail from.
My Mother has a photo of my Grandfather with a group on fellow soldiers under a tree waiting for evacuation, this was given to my Grandmother after his death. Was there a photographer there that day? Where there other photos taken? Whoever took the photos knew where to deliver to the right person.......
There are so may questions that need to be answered...
My Mum has already located a few records kept in the National Archieves, as I am sure you will understand this is proving to be traumatic and frustrating. The Government have made finding the necessary information so difficult to access.
I have had a couple of pointers from three members and I thank you for that..
Regards Su

 

Hi
Please could anyone help me find information on 'Operation Demon'.
My Grandfather was killed in action at sea between 25/26th April 1941.
His name Leonard George Morris S/13278
S.Q.M.S (WO11)
1 Field Butchery
R.A.S.C
I am trying to locate which vessel he might of boarded, also from which bay it set sail from.
My Mother has a photo of my Grandfather with a group on fellow soldiers under a tree waiting for evacuation, this was given to my Grandmother after his death. Was there a photographer there that day? Where there other photos taken? Whoever took the photos knew where to deliver to the right person.......
There are so may questions that need to be answered...
My Mum has already located a few records kept in the National Archieves, as I am sure you will understand this is proving to be traumatic and frustrating. The Government have made finding the necessary information so difficult to access.
I have had a couple of pointers from three members and I thank you for that..
Regards Su:smile:

 

Su, don't know if you have seen this book:
'Crete 1941 The battle at sea', David A. Thomas, Cassel, ISBN 0-304-36400-2.
Nauplia is quite well covered and with a list of ships/vessels involved. The bibliography gives a huge number of other potential sources for research.
The whole evecuation seems chaotic, few accurate records seem to exist but you might strike lucky somewhere.

Best of luck,

Mike

 

Ok Calm down...I'm sorry Just getting used to this, so please forgive me....
I Just thought my post was old....
We all have to begin somewhere and I am a raw recuit my dear man!!!!!....

 

Please don't use patronising language to a site Moderator.

We are more than accommodating with new members and are happy to point you in the right direction but please don't get sarcastic when we ask you to follow site rules.

 

Dear Owen & Paul
Please accept my sincere apologies for being rude and patronising, I should of thought about what I was writing before replying. I fully appreciate the dedication you all put into this forum.
I am trying to understand the jargon, so when it was pointed out about my error I felt foolish. However, that still did not give me the right to be offensive in anyway.
All I ask is please be patient with me, I will try and grasp this threading!!!!
I honestly Just thought that because I could no see my post no one else would look for it....
Thank you though for your help....
Regards Su

 

Thank you Owen, I should of Just asked in the first place eh!!!

 

Thank you for your comments, Su.

We welcome you to the forum and am sure someone will be able to help.

 

Hi
I am looking for related records related to 'Operation Demon' evacuation.
My grandfather was killed in action between 24th&25th April 1941. My Mum has been researching for a few years now and seems to be hitting a brick wall when trying to find any related evidence on those few days leading up to the evacuation.
I would be most grateful if any of you kind members could send any information or have any reference sites of where to continue to search for the truth...

Regards Su B)

Hello Su
Whilst researching my family history I found on a dutch website(which no longer exists), complete transcript of details of Operation Demon, which incudes transcripts of radio messages between both allied and german forces duing the evacuation.
My uncle was also killed in the campaign. He was aboard Dutch troop ship MS 'SLAMAT'.
If you send me your email address I'll try and forward it to you. It makes very sad reading, especially where the German aircraft machine gunned allied troops as they were on lifeboats.
My email address is sid.hawes@virgin.net

Regards

Sid Hawes

 

AIR 23/6138 Operation `Demon' 1941

ADM 1/11470 COMBINED OPERATIONS (47): Awards to officers and men of the Merchant Navy for good services in withdrawal from Greece (Operation `Demon') 1941. Plus two more files

ADM 1/19252 ADMIRALTY (5): Operations Lustre and Demon: publication of reports by C in C Mediterranean on transportation of the army to Greece (operation Lustre) and evacuation from Greece (operation Demon) during 1941. Plus two more files.

 

Those reference number for TNA are a great find, I'm researching a Merchant Navy Captain who was awarded an OBE for gallantry during Operation Demon and during a bombing raid in Alexandria a few days later.

Cheers