Anders Lassen, der var britisk commandosoldat under 2. Verdenskrig, og som den eneste udlænding modtog Storbritanniens højeste tapperhedsorden Viktoriakorset, er fornylig blevet hædret i Australien.
This week saw Melbourne’s Greek community join with local Danes to commemorate the key role played by Major Anders Lassen in the liberation of Thessaloniki 73 years ago last month, in October 1944. This is the first time since 1944 that Hellenes in Melbourne – and possibly the world – have joined with Danes to celebrate and commemorate Anders Lassen.
Major Anders Lassen was 24 years old when he led the liberation of Thessaloniki in October 1944. Originally tasked to observe the German situation in the city, Anders decided to engage the German occupiers and force their surrender or expulsion before they completed their planned destruction of the city’s infrastructure. On 29 October Anders led his 40-man special forces team, including Lieutenant Mavrikis and members of the Greek Sacred Squadron, along with members of the local ELAS resistance, in an assault on the German occupation of the city. After much fighting, the remaining Germans abandoned the city the next morning. Thessaloniki was free.
Hodjanerne har tidligere skrevet om Anders Lassen.
Og alt man taler om er statuer af Scavenius. 🙁