The battlefields that bind Spartans and ANZACs

In 480BC, 1 of quality history’s astir celebrated battles was fought successful Central Greece astatine the constrictive coastal walk of Thermopylae. For three days, a fewer thousand Greeks—led by 300 Spartan warriors and their king, Leonidas I—held backmost a vast Persian army.

Eventually encircled, the Spartans and their allies were killed. Their stand, however, allowed thousands of comrades to flight and combat on, leaving an enduring illustration of courageousness and sacrifice.

More than 2,400 years later, Australian and New Zealand troops returned to this aforesaid ground.

In April 1941, connected the eve of Anzac Day, Allied forces recovered themselves defending Thermopylae and the adjacent Brallos Pass against advancing German troops during the Battle of Greece.

Outnumbered and under relentless pressure, ANZAC units used the rugged terrain of Thermopylae and Brallos Pass to hold the enemy, enabling thousands of Allied soldiers to withdraw to safety.

Memorial to Allied forces defending Thermopylae and Brallos Pass during the Battle of Greece successful April 1941, connected the eve of Anzac Day. Photo: Supplied

Among the Australian forces engaged was the 2/2nd Australian Field Regiment, which positioned its guns precocious connected Brallos Pass overlooking the valley of Thermopylae, firing connected German forces arsenic they precocious towards Athens.

This singular transportation betwixt past and modern warfare is explored successful Spartans & ANZACs, the latest accumulation astatine the Shrine of Remembrance.

The accumulation reveals the little-known story of the ANZAC stand astatine Thermopylae and draws compelling parallels betwixt the legendary Spartan defence and the courageousness shown by Australian and New Zealand troops much than two millennia later.

Shrine of Remembrance is open regular 10am to 5pm, and introduction to the accumulation is free.

*Steve Kyritsis is simply a Vietnam veteran, and was caput of the Hellenic RSL who has spent decades documenting the publication of Greek Australians who served Australia successful World War I, World War II and Vietnam.