MR. CHURCHILL IN ATHENS (14 February 1945)

MR. CHURCHILL IN ATHENS

ROUSING SPEECH TO A CROWD OF 60000 ATHENIANS

"WE WILL MARCH WITH YOU"

ATHENS, 14 February 1945. Mr. Churchill's visits to Greece was spectacular. Last time he arrived unheralded on Christmas Day to find Athens a city of tragedy, cold, infinitely dreary, and, except for the sound of gunfire, silent. That afternoon, accompanied by Mr. Eden, he arrived there on his way home from the Crimea, and was immediately whisked off to Constitution Square, where, standing on the balcony overlooking the Unknown Warrior's tomb, he made an impromptu speech to an immense crowd of wildly cheering Athenians.

The weather was perfect, the beautiful city lying bathed in sunshine under a luminous blue sky, and the setting was equally magnificent. In the background stood the old palace, from the upper balconies of which hung long blue and white Greek flags interspersed with red ensigns; on each side was the dark green of cypresses, and in the distance Mount Hymettus. In front of the Prime Minister, crowding right on to the tomb, was a multitude estimated at 60,000.

Everyone was exuberantly happy, and cheered to the echo not only Mr. Churchill, who had driven up in an open car with the Regent, Archbishop Damaskinos, at his side and two Evzones standing on the running boards, but also Field-Marshal Sir Harold Alexander and General Scobie, who had arrived first, and Mr. Eden and Mr. Macmillan. who followed him. The party was met by General Plastiras and his Cabinet and senior Greek and British officers, while the band of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, Mr. Churchill's old regiment, played the British National Anthem.

RAPTUROUS RECEPTION
The Regent introduced the British Prime Minister, who then advanced to the edge of the balcony and addressed the crowd. He did not know until he arrived what had been prepared, but his short speech was rapturously received, especially when he said that Greece, which had passed through tragic days, would now take her place in the circle of victorious nations. Also loudly cheered was his remark that " as an Englishman I am proud of the part that the British Army has played in protecting this eternal and immortal city from violence and anarchy."

General Plastiras spoke next, and then Mr. Eden, who referred to his three visits to Greece and rejoiced that the country had emerged from its hour of trial. Afterwards the band played the Greek national anthem and a regimental march.

Churchill had a two-hour meeting with the Regent, Archbishop Damaskinos, that night. He also saw Mr. Sophianopoulos, Minister for Foreign Affairs, whom he congratulated on his brilliant handling of the Greek peace conference. The Mayor of Athens formally offered Mr. Churchill the freedom of the city that evening, and the Regent presented him with fifteenth-century Byzantine icons.