“We may have to provide more evidence or do it alone…

Following the announcement by Greece’s Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Theodoros Karaoglou – that up to 30,000 euros has been earmarked for a dig at the alleged site of Australian soldiers buried anonymously in northern Greece in WWII – researchers in Australia will now present a dossier of evidence to the Australian Defence Force.
Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWCA) is the ADF unit responsible for investigating alleged burial locations of Australian service personnel overseas. Despite the Greek authorities’ vocal support for the dig, UWCA has not yet received an approach from the Greek Army to facilitate a preliminary investigation or a formal request for assistance.
The Greek minister, who confirmed that the Greek Army had prepared detailed plans to excavate the site, said that he would authorise the expenditure personally.
“We think we know where the tomb of these soldiers is, and we’re seeking a permit to dig there,” said Mr Karaoglou.
“We want to find this grave and I believe the Australian government will agree with us to go ahead. We want to honour these soldiers.”
Vevi, 16 kilometres south of the Yugoslav border, was the site of the first engagement between Australian and German troops during the Greek campaign in WWII.
Allied casualties for the Battle of Vevi are estimated at some 60 killed-in-action, with 28 Australian soldiers dead. 480 British Commonwealth troops were taken prisoner.
A group of amateur researchers in NSW and Victoria say there is significant evidence that up to 20 Australian troops who were killed in the battle were buried in anonymous graves and have never been recovered.
In 1991 Victorian veteran Brigadier Keith Rossi was shown the alleged site on a visit to Vevi to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Greek campaign.
One of the researchers, Newcastle-based Greek Australian school teacher Tom Tsamouras, who has been instrumental in pinning down the alleged location of the unmarked burial site at Vevi told Neos Kosmos this week that the task of confirming the site was nearing completion.
“My task was to locate the site where they might be buried, based on the information from Brigadier Keith Rossi and other local reports.
“I believe we have now found the site and we have photographs of it.
“We also have documentation from the Greek military who have written a detailed report on what is required for a 15-day preliminary dig involving a two-acre area,” said Mr Tsamouras.
The Greek army’s report is currently being translated into English.
Mr Tsamouras has been assisted in his efforts by Greek lawyer Evangelos Ioannides, who lives near Vevi and who raised the matter originally with the Greek authorities.
Records of the Diggers killed in action and buried after the Battle of Vevi in April 1941 – and the names of those most likely to have been unrecovered – has been compiled by Victorian researchers Maria Cameron and Carl Johnson. This information will be added to the dossier going to UWCA.
Meanwhile, Tsamouras is involved in cross-referencing the anecdotal and other evidence regarding the site, bringing together reports over the years made by Vevi residents.
Mr Tsamouras says that the dossier of evidence could be provided to UWCA within weeks.
“They will consider this information and decide whether it is worthy of a preliminary dig,” said the NSW researcher.
“If they need more information, then we may have to provide more evidence or do it alone, with the assistance offered by the Greek authorities.
“If we have to do ourselves and we find evidence of human remains, UWCA are obligated by law to conduct a proper dig.”