Crete,

for those that haven't guessed, Crete is one of my special interests

although the mood of the island is definetly reconciliation towards the germans, they (quite rightly) still remember what happen during the war. each village has it's memorial to its casualties, civilian and andartes

so i am posting a few pictures which i hope will be of interest

the first is found in the mountain town of Anogia, this is the english translation, the other plaques ar ein greek and the original german

 

the second is found in the town of Kandanos, unfortunatly i can only find this one in the original german

my (very) rough translation :-

In retaliation for the bestial murder of paratroopers and pioneers by the men and women of this area, Kandanos is destroyed

 

the third is connected to the second set of plaques

it can be found in Floria which on the road to Kandanos, it's a german memorial to the men who were ambushed there by local civilians

the same men whose death was cause of the descruction of the town of Kandanos

it says a lot for the cretans that they have allowed this memorial at all

 

Great stuff - thanks for sharing that with us.

 

Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.

 

Originally posted by sappernz@Feb 8 2005, 03:03 AM
Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.
[post=31308]Quoted post[/post]
Hi Sappernz

i've never heard of it happening in Crete (but that doesn't mean it didn't happen) are you sure it wasn't an italian soldier?

btw i have some pictures of the Galatas memorial if you would like to see it (the kiwi's are still remembered there)

chris

 

Thanks Chris, would love to see the photos as my Dad and Uncle were in Greece and Crete.
The soldier was definitly German and it definitly happened, just cannot remember where exactly.

 

there you go mate, taken around the end of may, so the 'wreaths' are very fresh

 

Sorry Harribobs, do not know why I called you Chris. A beautiful photo mate. I must get there one day.
There is still a very strong Greek, Cretan, New Zealand bond here and mutual respect for all parties.

 

Originally posted by sappernz@Feb 9 2005, 02:11 AM
Sorry Harribobs, do not know why I called you Chris. A beautiful photo mate. I must get there one day.
There is still a very strong Greek, Cretan, New Zealand bond here and mutual respect for all parties.
[post=31329]Quoted post[/post]

Sapper

chris is correct as well, harribobs is just a nickname

all the wreaths you can see are greek ones, there were a few poppies on there as well, you can see the cretan/NZ bond is still very strong. It's also one of the biggest village memorials I know.

chris

 

Looking for information on civilian casualties in Crete during Battle Of Crete.

 

for those that haven't guessed, Crete is one of my special interests

although the mood of the island is definetly reconciliation towards the germans, they (quite rightly) still remember what happen during the war. each village has it's memorial to its casualties, civilian and andartes

so i am posting a few pictures which i hope will be of interest

the first is found in the mountain town of Anogia, this is the english translation, the other plaques ar ein greek and the original german
I ma planning a journey to Crete in September 2008 to play my pipes in tribute to the civilians who died in WW2. Would be grateful of any information regarding names of casualties and twons/villages they lived in.
Bill Jenkins
Liverpool

 

Hi,

Having travelled to over 100 military war graves locations worldwide I am now going to CRETE this time to play my pipes at the memorials to the civilians whi died during and after The Battle Of Crete.

I would appreciate any information/photos/locations etc. I am setting off alone on the 2nd September 2008 and anticipate being in Crete for three weeks.
Bill Jenkins
Liverpool
Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.

 

Interesting stuff, the Balkan theater has always interested me, thanks for sharing.

 

i should think crete would make a lovely holiday,especially the north coast.yours,lee.

 

Yeah its been a place that I would like to visit. Having a warm climate certainly helps too!!

 

Suprisingly, being an island economy, it's also one of the cheapest places in the Med to hire cars/bikes and buy petrol. When I was there four years ago, the price was exactly HALF that of the UK's, down at U.S. prices, and I was able to wander all over the eastern half of the island for a week.

 

Greek petrol prices have always been a fraction of the English one.

 

Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.

If anyone knows details about this incident, Id be interested in finding out about it.

 

Staff Sergeant Jim Seymour was eating his breakfast when the Battle of Crete began.
It was May 20, 1941 and Seymour was one of hundreds of New Zealand soldiers caught up in the brief, furious battle for the tiny Mediterranean island during World War II.
Anzac stories: Battle of Crete - national | Stuff.co.nz
An elderly Kiwi war hero is going into battle again – this time against the Government.
Major General W B "Sandy" Thomas, 91, won a Military Cross after his exploits during the Battle of Crete in May 1941 and has been invited back by residents of Galatas to address them on the 70th anniversary of a famous bayonet charge in which he was wounded.
War vet fights for chance to say 'thanks' | Stuff.co.nz
Govt relents on grants for Crete veterans | Stuff.co.nz