 I Corps assumed responsibility for the front in Cyrenaica on 15 February 1941 , but within days Blamey was informed that his troops would be sent on the expedition to Greece . Blamey has been criticised for allowing this when he knew it was extremely hazardous , after he was told that Menzies had approved . He insisted , however , on sending the veteran 6th Division first instead of the 7th Division , resulting in a heated argument with Wavell , which Blamey won . He was under no illusions about the odds of success , and immediately prepared plans for an evacuation . His foresight and determination saved many of his men , but he lost credibility when he chose his son Tom to fill the one remaining seat on the aircraft carrying him out of Greece . The campaign exposed deficiencies in the Australian Army 's training , leadership and staff work that had passed unnoticed or had not been addressed in the Libyan Campaign . The pressure of the campaign opened a rift between Blamey and Rowell , which was to have important consequences . While Rowell and Brigadier William Bridgeford were extremely critical of Blamey 's performance in Greece , this opinion was not widely held . Wavell reported that " Blamey has shown himself a fine fighting commander in these operations and fitted for high command . " 
