Επιχείρηση "Μάννα" : Η αποβίβασις των Βρετανών Αλεξιπτωτιστών στην Ελλάδα τον Οκτώβριο του 1944

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Manna

Operation Manna was the codeword for an Second World War operation by the British airborne forces in mid-October 1944.

The operation was conducted by the 2nd Parachute Brigade, on 12 October when units of the 4th Parachute Battalion parachuted onto the Megara airfield 28 miles (45 km) outside of Athens. The prevailing weather conditions forced the abandonment of further parachute operations and it was not until 14 October that the rest of the brigade less the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion arrived. After landing the 4th and 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalions marched on Athens. On the 16 October the 5th Battalion and the brigade's glider borne element arrived.[1]

The parachute brigade was reinforced by the 23rd Armoured Brigade, and the British force took over the protection of the city.


https://www.4para.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129&Itemid=119

In August 1944, the 2nd Parachute Brigade was now required in Greece where the withdrawal of German forces was already underway to provide troops for other fronts. Five weeks after returning from France, the Paras had sufficient supplies of aircraft to begin a full scale air drop timed to coincide with a sea born landing by the 23rd Armoured Brigade. The drop was hazardous. The wind speed was 35 mph, well beyond the maximum for a drop and there were a high number of casualties on the way down The Brigade was given a rousing welcome in Athens, were it was joined by sections of the SAS, SBS and RAF Regiment. These units formed up to chase the Germans and capture as many units as possible before they reached the Yugoslav border. Even during the German occupation, the country was bitterly split between Royalists (EDES) and the Communists (ELAS), the latter wishing to ensure once and for all the Duke of Edinburgh’s family did not return to the throne after the war. The departure of the Germans instantly fuelled this internal strife. In addition, the Greek Communists were already requesting support from the Russians, who were already in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, so that the old situation looked likely to erupt into a full scale civil war. The 6th Battalion alone was confronted by an organised unit of some 5000 communist guerrillas in central Greece. The prospect of confrontation between British troops was already a reality when, in November, it was decided to withdraw the Brigade and deploy it in support of the 8th Army in South East Asia.