THE BATTLE
FOR
GREECE AND CRETE
Matt Walsh
Table of content Page
1
Topic 1
Preface 1
Background 1
The Greek approach 2
The British perspective 2
2
-What was originally agreed 3
- What was provided 3
The Australian view 4
Dissentions about the Campaign 4
The German reasoning 4
Operation Marita 4
The build-up by the Allies 4
The Australians 5
- The Anzac Traditions 6
- Volunteers 7
The Invasion 8
The Greek involvement 9
- Recollections of a Greek Youth 9
- The Evacuation 10
- Casualties 10
Diary of a Greek Tragedy 10
How the situation developed 10
The Players 10
- The Australians 11
- The New Zealanders 11
- The British 11
- The Greeks 11
- The Germans 11
- The Italians 12
A brief history of the Greek Forces 1940-1944 12
- The Greek Sacred Middle East Raiding Company 12
- The Hellenic Navy 12
- The Royal Hellenic Air Force 13
Map of Greece April 1941 14
German Aircraft Greece 1941 14
The RAAF in Greece 15
The Battle for Crete 15
- The importance of Crete 15
- The Battle was unique 16
The plan to capture Crete 18
- The attack on Crete 18
Defence of Crete 19
- Order for Capitulation 19
- Evacuation 20
The British perspective for Crete 20
The Navy 20
Casualties 20
The German perspective
- Operation Merkur (Mercury)
The Invasion of Crete
The German Invasion Force 21
- Strengths & Casualties 22
- Ju 52 and paratroopers 22
23
The Players 23
- Australia 23
- New Zealand 23
- Britain 23
23
The Cretans 24
- Cretan Casualties 25
The Preveli Monastery 25
The unacknowledged 26
- The Military Police (Provost) 27
- Military Police and the evacuation 28
- Military Police casualties 28
- The Military Police & their relationship with the Digger 29
- Rearguard action 31
- War Diary of 7th Division Provost Company 32
- Award of Military Cross to Captain John Grimshaw 32
- New Zealand Military Police – Sgt Clive Hume VC 33
- Nurses 33
- Weary Dunlop 34
- Recollections of a Greek Nurse 34
Australian Corps of Signals 35
Profile on Major Paul Cohen (Cullen) 36
The kidnapping of General Kreipe 37
42nd Street 37
The aftermath 38
- Phaleron War Cemetery – Athens 38
- Sunda Bay War Cemetery- Crete 39
- Australian-Hellenic Memorial – Canberra 40
Australian Units engaged in Greece and Crete 41
Units/Formations other than Australian engaged in Greece and Crete 44
Ships involved during the Battle for Greece and Crete 45
Royal Air Force 45
Service details of Military Police in Greece 47
Casualties – Australian Military Police buried Phaleron War Cemetery Athens Greece 48
Plaques in Memorial Walkway Australian War Memorial Canberra 48
Nominal Rolls of Provost Corps Greece/Crete 48
48
- 1st Australian Corps Provost Company 49
- 6th Division Provost Company 49
- Colour Patches worn by Provost Companies Greek/Crete Campaign 50
- 7th Division Provost Company 51
- Recruiting Poster by Sir William Dargie of Sgt. Tom Osborne MM 52
The Recollections of Sgt. Mick Doulis
Bibliography
The author
This booklet is an initiative of the Defence Reserves Association (NSW) Inc. and the Military Police
Association of Australia Inc. as part of their Schools Military History Program.
Written and compiled by Matt Walsh JP MLO ALGA (MCAE) Dip Bus & Corp Law (CPS)
© 2005: second edition 2006: third edition 2007.
Published by Matt Walsh 115 Leacocks Lane Casula 2170 Australia
Preface
If one wishes to examine particular campaigns or battles a large amount of information can be found in
the histories of the various units involved or from the sanitised official war histories of the times.
Unfortunately, but understandably the unit histories concentrate on the activities of that particular unit
and therefore it can be difficult to obtain an overall view of a battle or campaign.
In many instances the social aspects and impacts are not discussed, nor the interrelationships of the
personalities and other units involved and the overall statistics of a campaign.
It is also sometimes difficult to ascertain the initial reasons for the campaign as often this can go back
in history and relate to a political or other event.
The following is an attempt to bring together in one place some of the many facets of the battle for
Greece and Crete and its impact on those involved and finally to hopefully encourage further research
and therefore an understanding of all the aspects of this campaign.
Background
In September 1940 Hitler achieved the bloodless seizure of Romania which gave him access to the
oilfields at Ploesti. It was these oilfields which were to be part of the catalyst for the future invasion of
Greece and Crete.
This success by Hitler encouraged his cohort Mussolini on the 28 October 1940 to order the invasion of
Greece he saw this action as a way of showing Hitler that he was an important part of the Axis Alliance.
Fortunately for Greece they were able to defeat the Italians however the loss did not go well for
Mussolini as Hitler was not impressed with the Greek victory that as a result of the unsuccessful attack
by Mussolini the Greeks had now entered into an agreement with the British to send troops to support
Greece particularly as they had rejected an earlier offer in January 1940 by the British to provide
similar support.
The Greek approach
In early 1939 both Britain and France foresaw the possibility of Germany attacking Romania followed
by Greece. If occurred then it was possible that Turkey would be next. To prevent this form occurring
Winston Churchill in January 1940 offered to provide Greece with a small number of troops to be
stationed in Greece to assist in the defence of the country should that become necessary
General Metaxas (Greek Prime Minister) and General Papagos rejected the offer for two reasons.
Firstly, it could provoke the Germans into an attack on Greece, secondly if an attack did occur the force
would be too small to prevent or repel the attack. It is understood that General Mextaxas was
sympathetic to the Germans.
This decision was to change in 1941 and allied troops were sent to defend Greece.
The British perspective
Churchill in one of his many ‘flashes of brilliance’ saw the stationing of troops in Greece as a way of
commencing a second front in Europe. Like many of his ideas, it had no substance and this can be
seen by comparing what was originally agreed too and what was eventually sent. As was usual with
Churchill his enthusiasm faded and he passed the buck to some one else.
-1-
What was originally planned
The British War Cabinet and the Greek Government agreed that an ‘Expeditionary Force’ to be known
as ‘Lustre Force’ would be provided and would consist of:
Three Infantry Divisions, one Armoured Division (maybe a second), a Polish Brigade
a total of about 100,000 troops.
The troops were to be supported by – 240 Field Guns – 32 Medium Guns –
192 AA (anti-aircraft) Guns- 202 Anti- Tank Guns- 142 Tanks- 5 RAF Squadrons
These troops were to consist of:
1st Australian Corps HQ – 6th & 7th Australian Divisions – 2nd New Zealand Division-
a British Armoured Brigade- a Polish Brigade.
The force was to be under the command of General Sir (Jumbo) Maitland Wilson, who was General
Wavell’s trusted ‘Right Hand Man.
Wilson was known for his dislike of the Australians and they in turn were not impressed with him.
General Blamey thought that he lacked ‘enough grey matter – unintelligent’ and Robert Menzies the
Australian Prime Minister described him as ‘tall, fat and cunning’.
What was provided
Initially on the 1st November 1940 a British Battalion landed on Crete, this was followed on the 3rd
November by eight fighter bombers at Eleusis near Athens. By the 15th November some 4,247 troops
were to be stationed in Greece, these numbers included three Air Squadrons. Some of these units
were medical units – 26th British General Hospital- 189th Field Ambulance- 48th Field Hygiene-
168th British Light Field Ambulance – 4th British Light Field Ambulance.
By the 11th February 1941 “Lustre Force” consisted of
1st Australian Corps HQ- 6th Australian Division – 2nd New Zealand Division-
a British Armoured Brigade and A number of British Medical Units..
The Polish Brigade remained in Egypt and the 7th Australian Division in Africa as a result of Rommel’s
invasion of Cyrenaica. No one seems to know what happened to the five RAF Squadrons.
The Australian View
General Wavell informed General Blamey of the raising of ‘Lustre Force’ on the 18 February 1941, the
Australian Government agreed to the concept on 26 February 1941. The first allied troops reached
Greece on the 7th March.
Blamey argued with Wavell that as the ‘Force’ consisted mainly of Dominion Troops (Australia and
New Zealand) the force should be commanded by a Dominion Officer. Wavell commented that only
42,000 troops would be Australian and New Zealand. When ‘Lustre Force’ was actually raised and
sent to Greece it consisted of:
17,125 Australians and 16,700 New Zealanders, and they in fact made up the
actual combat Infantry in ‘Lustre Force’
yet he still persisted in appointing a British Officer to command the Force.
-2-
Dissentions about the campaign
Many of the Senior Officers involved, particularly the Australians thought the concept to be a ‘strategic
blunder of the first magnitude’.
This feeling can be seen from the actions of the British Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham the
Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, and General Blamey who was actually planning the evacuation
of Greece even before the campaign had started. The arrival of the troops in Greece was directed by Lt
Gen. Wilson from his HQ Jerusalem, Palestine and when thing started to go bad in Greece Blamey was
made Field commander.
Many of the Commanders involved thought that the concept was inviting disaster. They likened it to
Gallipoli- It appeared that Churchill had not learned his lesson at Gallipoli and he was trying to prove
that his strategies were right by using them again in Greece.
Prime Minister Menzies was always concerned about the operations and he was the only person to
question Churchill- all the others (the British War Cabinet) simply agreed with him. (Menzies
Diary 24 February 1941 P.66). Apparently Menzies believed that the concept only had a reasonable
chance of success.
One can only believe that this action by Menzies was only for show as he tended to go along with the
British and later he was to describe himself as ‘British to the boot heels’. In his memoirs “Afternoon
Light” he tries to justify his and his Government’s decision in respect to Greece, when he says “My
Australian Colleagues still adhere to their (and my) belief that the decision to send our troops to Greece
was strategically correct”.
Whilst it was apparent from the start that Blamey was opposed to the campaign, like any good soldier
he did what he was told by his superiors but took every opportunity to voice his opinions. He
believed that the allies should not have tried to defend Greece, but rather concentrated on defending
Crete and Rhodes.
By March 5, Blamey had summed up the situation and advised Menzies that it was only the Australians
and New Zealanders who were supplying combat troops (infantry) and that the British were only
providing the Lines of Communication (L of C) roles. He informed Menzies that he had grave doubts
about the whole venture. He was later to say “The Greek expedition hadn’t a dog’s chance from the
start. The Greek plan was a bad one and our plan to support them was equally bad.” This assessment
was proved to be correct. Blamey was ordered to leave Greece against his wishes. However if he
expected his troops to obey orders then he must also do so. Blamey left Greece on the 23rd April by
flying-boat for Alexandria he also took with him his senior staff.
Brig. S.I Rowell; Lt Col. Henry Wells; Lt Col. Eric Woodward; Lt Col. Cyril Elliot;
Capt. N. D. Carlyon (Blamey’s ADC) and Major T.R. Blamey (Blamey’s son) this caused
some problems with other senior officers.
The German reasoning
There are a number of reasons why Hitler decided to invade Greece and Crete. One was the defeat of
the Italians by the Greeks this in conjunction with the advice of General von Greiffenberg that the
British had used Salonika (Thessalonika) in 1915 to develop a strategic thrust against the Germans in
1918. It was this fear that the British would send troops and set up a base in Greece, rather than his
wanting to occupy Greece caused Hitler to commence the invasion of Greece.
If Britain was to establish bases in Greece it would make the German oilfields at Polesti in Romania
open to attack.
-3-
To prevent this from happening Hitler ordered the preparation of the plans for “Operation Marita”
which was a plan to invade and occupy Northern Greece commencing on the 26 March 1941.
“Operation Marita”
This invasion was to be undertaken by the German 12th Army which consisted of 14 Divisions
commanded by Field Marshal von List these troops were currently engaged in nearby Yugoslavia.
The build up by the allies
On the 1st March 1941 Bulgaria agreed to allow the Germans to occupy their country. It was during
March that the allies began to move troops into Greece. Between the 4th and 18th March, 58,000 troops
arrived in Greece and thereafter continued to arrive on a regular basis. Over 68,000 troops were to be
transferred to Greece without loss.
The Italian Navy consisting of a Battleship, eight cruisers and thirteen destroyers under the command
of Admiral Angelo Iachino attempted to disrupt the landing of the allied troops and on the 27th and 28th
March the Italian fleet was engaged by the British and Australian Navies in the Battle of Cape Malapan
with the Italians being soundly defeated.
The Australians
The first contingent of troops of “Lustre Force” to arrive in Greece numbered 756 included 89 men of
the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station (ACCS). These troops had left Alexandria (Egypt) on
HMAS Perth and arrived at the port of Piraeus on the 8th March 1941. Australian troops continued to
arrive regularly and were initially camped in the village of Dafni (the camps were named Daphne 1 and
Daphne 2) which is between Piraeus and Athens before they moved north.
Australia’s first casualty of the campaign occurred on the 1st April 1941 when Sgt. Alec Moodie of the
2/6th Infantry Battalion, whilst carrying out Anti Aircraft (AA) duty aboard the MV Delos was killed
during a German Air attack.
The Anzac Tradition
On the 12th April General Blamey reformed the Anzac Corps with the troops of the 1st Australian Corps
and the New Zealand Division becoming known as the Anzac Corps thus reigniting the spirit of 1915.
Volunteers
When they arrived in Greece the Australians were greeted by the local population in a very unusual
manner, who had lined the roadside or leant out of their windows of their homes to wave to the Aussies
and they also gave them the ‘thumbs up’ which had been adopted by them after seeing the RAF use it
to indicate “V for Victory”. The Greeks readily adopted this gesture and apparently it is now accepted
as part of a normal greeting in Athens. Of course the Australians had a rather different meaning for this
gesture. However, the ‘Diggers’ quickly realised that the Greeks saw the gesture as a sign of
welcome and support. It would appear that this was another example of the easy going nature and
larrikinism of Australians, as we were able to change what was considered to be an insult into a
compliment.
The Greeks were quite surprised to find that both the Australian and New Zealand troops were all
‘volunteers’, because they had a difficulty in understanding the concept of ‘volunteerism’ in respect to
the military they believed that the Australians and the New Zealanders had volunteered to fight for
Greece – they considered them as ‘their soldiers’ and treated them as such.
-4-
This bond which developed between the Greeks and the Australians during the time of war in 1941 still
remains as strong to-day. Just as Australians are honoured and welcomed to-day in Villers-
Bretonneux for defending the village during World War I a similar feeling prevails in Greece and
particularly in Crete to day. Every year in May a Senior Hellenic Armed Forces Officer of three or
four star rank (Deputy CDF or CDF) visits Australia to take part in the Commemoration Services.
The Invasion
The German 12th Army of fourteen divisions under the command of Field Marshal von List at 5.30 am
on the 6th April crossed the border from Bulgaria and Yugoslavia at Thrace breaching the Metaxas Line
and occupying Salonika (Thessalonika). At this time the British and New Zealand troops were in
place and being supported by about 2/3rds of the Australians, with balance still en-route to the front line.
The Allies were also being supported by three Greek Divisions along the Bulgarian Border
(unfortunately these troops were considered inexperienced) together with three other divisions assisting
the British at Salonika.
The first contact with the Germans by the Australians was made on the 8th April at Thessaly as the SS.
Adolf Hitler Division (considered more elite and fearsome than the Waffen SS) advanced through the
the Monastir Gap. As the Germans advanced through the Vardar Valley from Yugoslavia they
captured Salonika and on the 9th April the Greek Eastern Macedonian Army was surrounded and
surrendered. On the afternoon of the 10th April Australian and British Artillery engaged the Germans
at Vevi.
Due to the rapid advance of the Germans it was decided to withdraw the allied troops to a defence line
through Mount Olympus and the Pindus Mountains. To achieve this withdrawal the Australian 19th
Brigade and the British Armoured Brigade fought a rearguard action to allow the rest of the troops to
withdraw to the Olympus- Aliakmon Line. On 13th April, Easter Sunday, the Germans launched a
major attack against the Anzacs on the Olympus- Aliakmon Line, it became apparent that the allies
would not be able to hold back the Germans and by the 14th April it was decided that it would be
necessary to withdraw to the ‘Thermopylae Line” which extended from Lamia to Athens.
On the 16th April General Papagos the Commander in Chief (C.I.C) of the Greek Forces stated that the
British should leave Greece. It was decide the evacuation would be from various ports and six cruisers,
twenty four destroyers and a number of landing craft would be used. In fact many other craft were also
used including a number of merchant ships.
On the 16th April during the withdrawal to ‘The Thermopyale Line’ Brigadier Vasey is reported to have
said after the battle for the town of Lamia as they moved towards the Brallos Pass.
“Brallos Pass will be held to the last f-----g man and the last f-----g round, and if you can’t
shoot them in the bloody stomach shoot them in the f-----g arse”.
-5-
Vasey was known for expressing himself very plainly and colourfully. The message was translated by
one of his Staff Officers to read as “Brallos Pass will be held come what may”
Brallos Pass
The troops continued to withdraw and by the 24th April they had reached Thermopylae, where Vasey
issued another of his statements:
“Here we bloody are and here we bloody well stay”.
Maybe it was the inspiration of Leonidis and his band of Spartans in 480BC in their stand against King
Xersies Persian Army which prompted Vasey to make his statement. Unfortunately, history repeated
itself and for all the bravery of these modern Spartans they also lost the battle.
The Thermopylae Monument
and Pass
With only 46 aircraft operational it was necessary to abandon the two airfields near Larrisa, thus
resulting in two Australian Battalions being cut off and eventually having to surrender.
The Greek involvement
Whilst the Greeks fought gallantly the inevitable occurred – defeat. Prior to the capitulation a number
of actions occurred.
On the 18th April General Tsolakoglou supported by the Bishop of Yanni wrote to the German High
Command offering to surrender the Greek Army if he was to be made Governor of Athens, this was all
without the knowledge of the Greek Government or the Greek Commander in Chief Field Marshal
Papogos. Tsolakoglou surrendered his Epirus Army to the Germans and became a puppet ruler for the
Germans during the occupation. On the same day the Greek Prime Minister Alexander Korizis
committed suicide. As a result the Greeks were disarmed and sent home all this occurred without the
knowledge of the Allies. After the War General Tsolakoglou was charged as a traitor and
sentenced to be hanged. He died before the sentence could be carried out.
The 23rd April saw the King of the Hellenes King George II and Prime Minister Emmanuel Tsauderos
leave Athens and set themselves up in Hania to continue the battle from Crete. Whilst they were in
Crete German paratroopers actually landed in the grounds surrounding the house occupied by the King
and his Ministers, after this close call they were evacuated by destroyer from Crete on the 22nd May.
On the 24th April the Greek Army capitulated, but General Pagagos ordered his men to keep the roads
open to enable the Anzac Force to reach the various evacuation points at Megra, Nafplion and
Kalamata. - 6-
Recollections of a Greek Youth a Partisan a Heroine
Without the assistance and tenacity of young Greeks, like Suzan Tsirekas (now an Australian) life
would have been difficult for the Greek and allied Partisan in their fight against the Nazi’s.
“ I was born in Northern Greece in the village of Ano Komi about 10 kms from Kozani. I lived with my
widowed mother and three younger brothers.
The author in the village of
Ano Komi and properties
still with links to the
Tsirekas family
Towards the end of 1940 the German Government requested they be allowed free passage through
Greece. This was declined and on the 28th October, 1940 a day still commemorated in Greece, on each
hill and mountain top large signs were erected stating the Greek word “Ohi” meaning No. ………
I remember on the 14th November 1940 Kozani Airport was bombed, our first contact with the war and
the next day, as I was fetching water from the village well, a wave of bombers flew over to again attack
Kozani.
By this time the Greek men were fleeing ahead of the invading army and many passed through our
village, some lost with little in the way of clothing. We still had my father’s clothes so these were
provided to those men.
In April 1941 we were told the Germans were coming to occupy our area and we were instructed we
must purchase and fly a German flag to show our support. We did not wish to comply with this order
and besides we were too poor to do so. In some surrounding villages there were followers of the Nazi
Party who collaborated with the enemy but in our village I think there were only two collaborators who
were taken care of by the Partisans that were now forming and hiding in the mountains in dangerous
and adverse conditions.
These were very hard times as the Germans confiscated the farmers stock and crops and we had to
forage for wild vegetables in the fields.
In September 1942, while looking for Partisans, German soldiers came to our house and after
searching it, set our house on fire, One Greek man who was accompanying them pleaded as it was a
Widow with small children and the fire was put out but many houses in the village were destroyed.
In Kozani was a very large house belonging to a rich family which was taken over by the Germans as
headquarters with the family forced to live in the servant’s quarters. Two of the daughters understood
the German language and were able to convey information to the leaders of the partisans to be passed
on to the men in the mountains.
As a very young girl, being able to get passed the Germans without arousing too much suspicion, a
friend and I were used to take messages. We did this by walking back and forth from the village to
Kozani with notes tied into our pigtails. Whenever we heard a vehicle we would hide in the wheat
fields until they passed.
In these years many terrible things happened and in one case 18 partisans were coming from the hills
along a creek in a valley. About 20 yards up the hill in a railway cutting, hidden from below sat a
machine gun nest. No one survived. Also in Kozani, on a hill overlooking the town is a Church where
there is a memorial to some Australian and New Zealand soldiers. At the time of liberation these men
were parachuting in but hidden in the Church was a lone Machine Gunner and they were killed before
reaching the ground.
-7-
Evacuation
The actions of the Greeks allowed for 50,662 of the 62,600 allied troops sent to defend Greece to be
evacuated, with 26,000 being sent to Crete and the remainder to Egypt. The evacuation was successful
due to the actions and the excellent work by the members of the Provost Corps (Military Police) in
keeping the vehicles moving at night and on very dangerous roads just ahead of the German advance
troops. This same efficient work also enabled the troops to assemble and be loaded on board the
evacuation ships in an orderly and safe manner.
Unfortunately, the effort and work of the Provost Corps in both Greece and Crete is very poorly
reported or acknowledged. Ask any member of the 6th Division for a comment on the work of the
Military Police during this campaign- the common statement will be; ‘only for the MPs I would be
either dead or a POW’.
The evacuation took place over a number of nights and from a number of beaches commencing on the
night of the 24th April and completed by the 29th April. The evacuations encountered some difficulties
such as German Paratroopers capturing the Corinth Canal.
Corinth Canal
Unfortunately, some troops were left behind these were predominately Base Troops and the Cypriot
and Palestinian civilian labourers and a large amount of equipment.
The evacuations took place at a number of beaches over a very large area. The embarkation points
were at Rafina designated as “C Beach”, Porto Rafti “D Beach”, Megra “P Beach”, Theodora “J
Beach” this was not used and was replaced by Kalamata, Navplion “S & T Beach’s”.
The evacuation beaches
-8-
April Athens Megra Navplion Tolos Kalamata
‘P Beach’ ‘T Beach’
_____________ Beaches___ _________ ‘S Beach’
20th Nurses
24th-25th 5 Brigade 2/7th Field Corps - Nurses Nil Nil
25th-26th Amb & R.A.F
19 Brigade & Nil 2/3rd C.C.S. Nil Nil
26th -27th part 1 Armd
Bde 4 Bde Base Troops Base 16 Bde & 17 Bde
6 Bde & 3 Royal Tanks Troops 4000 Base
remainder of 4 Hussars Troops
1 Armd Bde. 2/2nd Field Amb
2/1st Field Amb
Casualties
During the eighteen days of the Greek Campaign large numbers of casualties occurred.
Country 146} Killed Wounded POWs Missing
110} 320 494 2065 -
Australia 291 599 1614 -
New Zealand -
British -Army 256 87} 6480} -
36 45} 132 28} 6508 -
RAF 3806 345
Palestinian/Cypriots 1160 25 -
German (12th Army) 3375
Diary of a Greek Tragedy
October 1940 Event
7th Germans invade Romania
28th Italians invade Greece from Albania
March 1941 Allied Expeditionary Forces Arrive in Greece
7th
Germany invades Greece
April 1941 Greece surrenders to Germany
6th 43,000 allied troops evacuated from Greece
22nd
27th /28th ‘Operation Mercury’ – German invasion of Crete
Germans repulsed at Heraklion and Retimo
May 1941
20th Maleme taken by Germans
Evacuation of Crete by Allies commenced
21st Last Allied Forces leave Crete
27th/28th
31st
-9-
How the situation developed
October 1940 Event
28th Declaration of War between Greece and Italy
November 1940 Decision taken for the defence of Greece and Crete by the British
April 1941
15th Germans decide to invade and occupy Crete
15th The movement of Allied and Greek troops from Greece to Crete planned
23rd Greek Government moves to Crete
25th First New Zealand Troops land on Crete
29th General Freyberg assume command of the troops on Crete
May 1941
14th Germans commence air attacks on Crete
18th/19th German paratroopers prepare for attack on Crete
20th Attack on Crete begins at 6.30am –heavy bombardment of Chania, Retymnon
prior to landing by paratroopers
21st Germans concentrate attack on Maleme. British fleet attacks German convoy
heading for Crete. Heavy losses on both sides.
23rd Greek Government leaves Crete on HMS Decoy- Churchill sends message to
HQ. “The Battle of Crete must be won.”
25th Germans resort to reprisals- mass executions and destruction
27th Commander in Chief Middle East orders evacuation of troops
28th Evacuations of Allied Troops begin
28th German troops reinforced by Italian Troops from Dodecanese land at Sitia
31st The last allied forces leave Crete from Sfakia
The Players
The Australians
General Sir Thomas Blamey (later to be promoted Field Marshal)
Major General Iven Mackay
Brigadier A. S. (Tubby) Allen -16th Brigade (later to be promoted to Major General)
Brigadier Stanley G. Saviage -17th Brigade (later promoted to Lieutenant General and Knighted
the founder of Legacy in Australia)
Brigadier George Vasey -19th Brigade (later promoted to Lieutenant General)
Brigadier S.F. Rowell
Brigadier Lee
Lt. Col. Henry Wells
Lt. Col. Cyril Elliot
Lt. Col. Eric Woodward (later Knighted and appointed Governor of New South Wales)
Major Edward (Weary) Dunlop (later Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop
The New Zealanders
Major General Bernard Freyberg VC (later Lord Freyberg of Wellington)
Brigadier Barrowclough 6th Brigade
The British
General Sir Archibald Wavell (later Lord Wavell)
Lieutenant General Sir Henry (Jumbo) Wilson
Brigadier Charrington
Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham
- 10 -
The Greeks
General Alexander Papagos Commander in Chief of Hellenic Forces
General Tsolakoglou Macedonian (Empirus) Army
The Germans
Field Marshal von List 12th Army
General von Greiffenberg Chief of Staff 12th Army
The Italians
Admiral Angelo Iachino
German Troops in Greece at the time of the evacuation
Pelopennese - 5th Armoured and Adolf Hitler Infantry Division
Athens- Lamia- 2nd Armoured and 5th & 6th Mountain Divisions
Thessaly- 9th Armoured
Grevena-Yannina- 73rd Infantry Division
Katerini- 72nd Infantry Division
Salonika – 50th Infantry Division
Eastern Macedonia and the Aegean- 164th Infantry Division
In support in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia if needed- three Divisions of the 12th Army (46th, 76th and 198th)
A brief history of the Greek Forces during the period 1940 to 1944
World War II commenced in Greece on the 28th October 1940 when the Italians launched an attack on
Greece. By the 29th October the Greek Government commenced a ‘General Mobilization’ within the
country.
In February of 1941 the 1st Battalion of Greek volunteers who were living in Egypt was formed.
Unfortunately, with the commencement of the German Campaign (Operation Mercury) the fall of
Greece occurred in 1941. However, the Greeks were not about to accept defeat and those who were
able to escape from Greece and Crete in May 1941 through Turkey and Palestine and were able to
reach Egypt formed the 1st Greek Brigade.
Between 1942 and 1944 a general mobilization of Greek living in Egypt and they were to form the 2nd
Greek Brigade.
In 1942 the 1st and 2nd Greek Brigades were sent to North Africa to relieve the Scottish Brigade and
they took part in the Battle of El-Alamein, under the Command of General Montgomery, they remained
in North Africa until December 1942. During this time they lost 517 killed and wounded. In January
1943 they returned to Alexandria.
By April 1943 the 1st & 2nd Greek Brigades were reformed into the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade and
received further training in Palestine and Lebanon. In August 1943, they came under the command of
a soldier well known to the Greeks, General Bernard Freyberg VC who been in command of the allied
troops in Crete in 1941 and was now the Commander of the New Zealand division. The Brigade took
part in the Battles of Calolika, Ricione, Roubicona and Rimini. On the 23rd October 1944, the 3rd
Greek Mountain Brigade was ordered to Torento and they returned to Greece on the 7th November
1944.
The Greek Sacred Middle East Raiding Company
On the 6th September 1942 we saw the formation of ‘The Greek Sacred Middle East Raiding Company’
(S.M.E.R) the unit consisted initially of 210 men. The unit took part in guerrilla attacks in North
Africa, Libya ad Tunis between the 15th February and 17th April 1943.
- 11 -
By late 1943 its strength exceeded 420 men and it took part in the attacks on the Dodecanese Islands.
By 1944 its strength had grown to 1016 men and the S.M.E.R Company joined a British Brigade under
the command of Major Turnbull and they took part in the liberation of the Aegean and Dodecanese
Islands.
The Hellenic Navy
The Royal Hellenic Navy saw action in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Air Force
The Royal Hellenic Air force was formed in Egypt and trained in South Africa and they took part in in
actions in support of the Allies in Italy.
Greece April 1941
Map of Southern Greece showing the airports with the types
and numbers of the military planes based there in total 1180.
1100 of which took part in the Battle of Crete.
- 12 -
The RAAF in Greece
Very little information will be found in regard to the Royal Australian Air Forces involvement in the
Greek/Crete Campaign for the simple reason that any Australian Air Force Personnel were attached to
RAF Squadrons. This apparently was the situation in Europe and the Middle East Campaigns.
The following is a brief outline of the involvement of three of the seven Australian Pilots who saw
service in the Greek Crete Campaign whilst serving with RAF Squadrons.
In the beginning
When Italy invaded Greece on the 28th October 1940 the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas sought
help from the British. Unfortunately, the British response was not what was expected due to their
commitment in North Africa. They were only able to provide a small number of obsolete Fighter and
Bombers Squadrons. Notwithstanding this lack of support the RAF and the Greek Army defeated
the invading Italians.
Unfortunately, the Australian Pilots involved were fighting with the equivalent of one hand tied behind
their back, as they were using antiquated Gladiator bi-planes against the more modern Fiat CR-42s of
the Italians and later the ME-s and Junkers of the Germans.
A Gladiator flown
By Hickey in Greece
In the early stages of the campaign Australian Sqn Ldr. W.J. Hickey the Commanding Officer (CO) of
No.80 Squadron (Fighters) in one action with six Gladiators took on twenty Fiats and managed to shoot
down seven enemy planes with no losses to his Squadron. Hickey was shot down during an
engagement on the 21st December 1940 when ten of his aircraft engaged six enemy bombers protected
by fifty four Fiat fighters.
Another Australian Pilot of note during this campaign was Flt. Lt. Richard Cullen who was also part of
Hickey’s No.80 Squadron. No112 Squadron also included an Australian Flt. Lt. Charles Fry. In
February of 1941, No. 80 Squadron was provided with Hurricane Fighters. Unfortunately Cullen was
lost in action on the 27th February 1941.
Fry continued to serve on in Crete and was shot down and captured, he finished the war as a POW in
Oflag 21B in Posen, Poland.
Charles Fry and an other
British Airman in Oflag 21B
POW Camp.
- 13 -
The Battle for Crete
Importance of Crete
Crete is a small mountainous island approximately 260 km (161 miles) long and 64 km (40miles) wide
with mountains up to 2500 metres (8000ft) however, its strategic position was recognised by both the
Allies and the Germans.
For the Allies it was seen as a base for the Mediterranean Fleet to support its campaign in Africa and it
would also deny the Germans a forward base from which it could also support its troops in Africa. It
would also provide the Allies with a base to bomb the German oilfields at Ploesti in Romania. The
Germans saw it as a necessary step to protect these oilfields.
The importance of Crete was recognised very early when General Blamey expressed the opinion that
the Allies should concentrate their efforts on defending Crete and Rhodes and not Greece.
British troops were sent to defend Crete immediately following the Italian attack on Greece in October
1940. Because of its deep anchorage at Sunda Bay it was ideal for a naval base. By 1941 a
substantial Naval Base was established.
14 -
Crete was considered to be of strategic importance to the Allies in the Eastern Mediterranean as a base
for as it supported its base at Alexandria.
The Battle for Crete was unique
The Plan to capture Crete
The plan to capture Crete was the idea of ‘Luftflotte 4,’ under the command of General Alexander Lohr,
who had convinced Goring of the plan, but they met opposition from the Armed Forces High
Command. Eventually Hitler was convinced – and gave the order for “Operation Merkur (Mercury)
[The invasion of Crete] under the direction of the Luftwaffe.
Firstly; it was the first battle to be won exclusively by air- Paratroopers and heavy bombing
Secondly; the Allied Commander had access to German Wireless Communication relating to the
attack. The allies were aware of the exact date of the attack and the exact time
bombing of the island would commence.
Thirdly; no where else in World War 2 did the enemy meet so much civilian resistance.
The attack on Crete
1st attack – Morning 20th May
The first Gliders landed near Maleme Airfield at 7.15 am eventually succeeding in capturing the
airfield.
- 15 -
2nd attack- Morning 20th May
Was to be against Heraklion and Retimo areas these area were defended by the 19th Australian Brigade
under the Command of Lt. Col I.R. Campbell the two Australian and four Greek Battalions were more
successful in their defence of this area than those defending Maleme. The Australians and Greeks
prevented the Germans from taking the airfield and they were required to dig in. during the Battle for
Heraklion – the Fallschirm- Jager Regiment 1 were wiped out to a man.
The Battle for Heraklion
May 21st – 22nd
To support the air attack and landings it was planned to land seaborne reinforcements of the 5. Gebirgs-
Division on board 63 ships- 25 boats (caiques-fishing boats) were intended to land 2,250 Mountain
Troops to support Maleme and 38 were to bring 4,000 troops to Heraklion, this second group were then
order to land a Maleme. The British Fleet managed to sink the first flotilla and forced the second to
return to Greece. No further seaborne reinforcements were attempted until Crete was stablised.
Defence of Crete
Prior to the evacuation of the troops from Greece the defence of Crete was the responsibility of:
14th British Brigade (under strength)
Royal Marine Naval Base Defence Organisation (MNBDO) of about battalion size.
60 anti-aircraft guns
RAF – 6 Hurricane Fighters and 17 other miscellaneous aircraft.
In the event of an attack on Crete it was to be defended by the troops who had been evacuated from
Greece, they would be known as ‘Creforce’. This force would consist of about 21,000 troops from
Australia, New Zealand and Britain consisting of:
7th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd New Zealand Division
4 ½ Infantry Battalions of the 6th Australian Division
1 Machine Gun Battalion
Part of the 1st British Armoured Brigade with very few tanks
4 Composite British Battalions acting as an Infantry Brigade
1100 poorly armed and untrained Irregulars and Reservists
800 Cretan Police
The troops responsible for the defence of Crete were to be under the command of Major General B.C.
Freyberg of the New Zealand Army.
- 16 -
Troops were to be dispersed to the following areas:
Maleme (Brigadier Puttick) 5th New Zealand Brigade (21st, 22nd, & 28th (Maori) Battalions and
N.Z.F. Composite Infantry Unit – Total strength 3,156
10th New Zealand Brigade (20th Battalion, Composite Battalion,
detachment of New Zealand Cavalry, 6th & 8th Greek Regiments
Total strength 6,503
Support: Artillery-10 x 75mm guns and 6 x 3.7inch howitzers
10 light tanks
Reserve Force 4th New Zealand Brigade (18th, 19th Battalions), 1st Battalion Welsh
Regiment – Total strength 2,417
Kastel Sector 1st Greek Regiment –strength 1,030
Sunda Bay (Major General Wilson) M.N.B.D.O. – 1st Rangers New Zealand -102nd Anti-Tank (in
role of Infantry) 106th Royal Horse Artillery (in role of Infantry)
Cremor Force 2/2nd Field Regiment (in the role of Infantry) 16th Australian
Composite Battalion- 17th Australian Composite Battalion-
Group “A” R.A.A. [strength 600], Group “B” R.A.E. [strength
600], 2nd Greek Regiment.
Equipment: 16 x 3.7 inch, 10 x 3 inch and 16 Bofors guns and
8 various calibre costal defence guns
Retimo (Brigadier Vasey) 19th Australian Brigade (2/1st, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
3 Greek Regiments (each of Battalion strength) 1 Battery of
2/2nd Field Regiment with 14 guns of various makes and size.
2 Infantry Tanks
Heraklion (Brigadier Chappel) 14th British Brigade (2nd Leicestershire & 2 Yorks & Lancs
Regiments, 2nd Black Watch, 7th Medium Regt (Artillery being
used as Infantry) 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion, and
13 Greek Regiments (each of Battalion strength) supported by
10 light and 4 heavy anti-aircraft guns, 4 Infantry Tanks and
6 Light Tanks
Timbakion 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in support of Heraklion
Unfortunately, these troops were to have very little equipment to help in their defence of the island.
The equipment available to them was:
Artillery: 49 French and some captured Italian Field Guns and 68 Anti Air Craft Guns
(Bofors and Pom Poms)
Armour: 9 Tanks – 6 being light tanks
Aircraft: 30 planes comprising of Blenheim Bombers; Hurricane Fighters; 12-Gloster
Gladiators (Bi-planes) and assistance from Flumes &
Swordfish (Bi-planes) from the Fleet Air Arm
Small Arms: The Greeks and Cretans were equipped with a mixture of British; Canadian;
American and Italian rifles of various calibres this mix of rifles and calibres
created problems for the Greek and Cretan troops.
- 17 -
The situation was not helped when it was estimated that it would need 650 tons of supplies each day to
support the troops and only about 80 tons per day was being delivered. The fact that what supplies
were being delivered could not be unloaded during the day because of air attacks did not assist the
situation. To speed up the unloading in the short time available about 400 Australian and New
Zealanders volunteered to form working gangs to unload the supplies under the difficult condition
which prevailed.
By the 24th May General Freyberg realised that Crete could not be saved and on the 26th May he
advised General Wavell that a decision should be made to immediately to evacuate if there was to be
any chance of saving the bulk of the troops.
On the 26th May two British Commando Units were landed at night at Sunda Bay to support the
existing troops, unfortunately it was too late.
On the 27th May General Wavell decided to abandon Crete and to evacuate the troops over the next
four days.
Order for Capitulation of Crete
Second/7th Infantry Battalion and Second /8th Battalion
31st May, 1941
Lieutenant Colonel Colvin,
In view of the following facts, my orders direct me to give precedence in evacuation of fighting troops..
This has reduced the active garrison below what is required for resistance for the possibility of
evacauation. I therefore direct you to collect such senior officers that are available in the early hours of
tomorrow and transmit these orders to the senior of them. These orders are to make contact with the
enemy and to capitulate.
“A copy of surrender Document at Spharkia Crete May 1941”
Evacuation
It was decided that the evacuation would take place from two points. One would be Heraklion, with
the 2/4 Infantry Battalion the first to leave from this point on the 29th May. The other being at Sfakia
(Stakia) on the southern coast this required the troops to cross the White Mountains. It would appear
that this was another command blunder due to the height of the mountains and the narrow tracks the
troops would have to negotiate.
During the period 28th to 31st May about 18,000 troops were evacuated. One of the last Australians to
be evacuated was (later Major General) Paul Cullen AC. OBE. DSO* ED and just as well as his birth
name was Cohen and being Jewish he changed his named in June/July 1941in case he was caught by
the Germans. The change was promulgated in all unit routine Orders. Paul was part of the 16th
Brigade Composite Battalion which was made up of troops from 2/2 & 2/3 Battalions.
Unfortunately, Retimo was over run following additional German troops being landed by sea. On the
31st May the 2/1st Battalion surrendered.
About 6,000 troops did not get off Crete including many of the 2/7th Infantry Battalion who had been
acting as a rearguard with the Royal Marines. A number of those who were left behind fought with
the partisans in the hills, about 600 managed to escape to Egypt and unfortunately the rest were
captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war as POWs in Germany and other occupied
countries.
- 18 -
The evacuation Beach
at Sfakia (Stakia)
The British perspective for Crete
Churchill advised General Wavell on the 28th April that an attack on Crete would be made and that it
was to be held. It would appear that Churchill’s decision had been based on British Intelligence advice
that any attack on Crete would be by 5/6000 paratroopers. When in fact it was made by:
• 750 Glider troops
• 10,000 Paratroopers
• 5,000 Troops delivered by transport aircraft.
• 7,000 Troops by boat
in total 22,000 German troops landed on Crete supported by 430 bombers and dive bombers and 230
fighters.
This underestimation and lack of truthfulness in respect to the campaign can be seen by Churchill’s
statement to the British House of Commons on day two of the attack, when he informed it that the
greater part of the Germans had been wiped out in the landing.
This was another example of the incompetence of the British High Command, particularly when the
British were in possession of the ULTRA system ‘the British had been provided with a the German
Cipher Machine ‘the Egnima” provided by the Polish which allow the British to decode information on
“Operation Mercury.” On the 6th May 1941 the British were in possession of the information
relating to the invasion of Crete, this include the date and the exact time that the air attack on Crete was
to take place.
Instructions were given to General Freyberg, to defend Maleme Airfield notwithstanding that the
British High Command were aware that the Germans would use Paratroopers and failed to inform
Freyberg, who based his defence on the Germans landing by sea.
It can easily be seen why the British incompetence of the Somme in World War I is compared to their
handling of the Greek and Crete campaign in 1941.
The Navy
The British Mediterranean Fleet was involved on two occasions during the Battle for Crete. During
the period 21st – 23rd May the Germans attempted to land reinforcements by sea, the British Fleet
intercepted them about 30 miles from Crete and sunk all the ships with no survivors.
It was again involved in the evacuation of the troops between, the 27th and 31st May whilst engaged in
the evacuation it lost 2,000 men, three cruisers, six destroyers and an Aircraft Carrier was badly
damaged.
- 19 -
Casualties Killed Missing Wounded POWs
274 507 3,109
Country 671 1,692
Australia 612 1,455 5,315
New Zealand 114 244 1,035
British (Army) 71 30
1,742 9 228
Royal Marines 11,836
RAF 1,737
Total
Greeks 592
German 1,990 1,995 2,594
500 German aircraft were destroyed.
The German perspective
It would appear that Hitler was not keen to invade Crete however two of his Generals thought that it
was important for Germany to control Crete.
General Halder in 1940 in his concept for controlling the Eastern Mediterranean considered that it was
necessary for Germany to gain control of Crete. General Kurt Student of the XI Corps had similar
views and after discussing the concept with Reichmarshal Goering he was encouraged by Goering to
place his case before Hitler. Student was successful in convincing Hitler and the fate of Crete was
sealed.
Operation Merkur (Mercury)
The plan to invade Crete was given the code name ‘Operation Merkur (Mercury) ‘. It was decided
there would be a simultaneous attack by air on the towns of Maleme, Canea, Sunda Bay, Retimo, and
Heraklion. This initial plan was later changed to an attack on Maleme and Canea in the morning and
Retimo and Heraklion in the afternoon with the airborne attack to be supported by two seaborne
landings at Maleme and Heraklion. This seaborne support did not occur as the invasion fleet was
completely destroyed by the Royal Navy.
Lord Haw-Haw (William Joyce) the British traitor used by the Germans for propaganda called Crete
the “Island of Doomed Men”.
The Invasion of Crete
Air attacks began on the 14th May to soften up the defence for the airborne landings to take place on the
20th May – by the 19th May all the airfields on Crete had been destroyed and all British aircraft had
either been destroyed or departed.
The German planned to take Crete by the use of airborne landings on the 20th May at Maleme using
Assault Regiments and then one Parachute Rifle Regiment of the 7th Air Division at Canea – Sunda;
Retimo and Heraklion. Maleme airfield was captured on the 20th May and the Germans then
commenced landing troop carrying aircraft on the 21st May.
German plans
for the invasion
of Crete
- 20 -
At 6.45 am on the 20th May 1941 the Germans began the bombardment of the defences on Crete, at
8.00 am the invasion commenced with the arrival of 3,000 paratroopers, 750 by Glider and eventually
5000 by transport aircraft and 7000 by boat in all a total of 22,000 troops.
German Paratroopers
landing on Crete
The invasion of Crete was to be the first airborne invasion in history and its impact on the Germans
was to be horrific. The casualties were so high that Hitler declared ‘that the day of the parachutist is
over’, which is understandable when an examination of the casualties is made. This resulted in a
planned airborne invasion of Cyprus being cancelled.
Retimo: 700 killed and 500 taken prisoner (for a short time)
Heraklion: 1000 killed out of 2000 dropped.
In total the invasion of Crete resulted in 6000 killed and 200 Aircraft destroyed and
150 damaged.
The German Invasion Force
The German invasion force was to consist of 22,000 troops under the command of General Lohr and
was to consist of the following:
Formation Commander Remarks
IV Air Fleet General Lohr
VIII Air Corps General Freiherr Von Richthofen Based at Tatoi
120 Dornier 17s Based at Eleusis
40 Heinkel 111s General Kurt Student Based at Eleusis
80 Junkers 88s Based at Mycenae,
150 Junkers 87b Stukas Brigadier Meindl Based at Argos
90 Messerchmitt 110s Major General Sussman Based at Molaoi
90 Messerchmitt 109s Major Liebach
XI Air Corps Colonel Brauer Killed during
3 Transports Groups -500 Junkers 52s invasion replaced
Glider Wing- 70 DFS 230 Gliders by Colonel Hadrich
Squadron –Fiesceler Storch Reconnaissance
Storm Regiment HQ
1st ; 2nd ; 3rd ; 4th Battalions
7th Parachute Division HQ
Parachute Engineer Battalion
1st Parachute Regiment
1st; 2nd; 3rd Battalions
- 21 -
Formation Commander Remarks
2nd Parachute Regiment Colonel Sturm Rethymno
1st Battalion Heraklion
2nd Battalion Colonel Heidrich Rethymno
3rd Battalion
3rd Parachute Regiment Major General Ringel Divisional Troops
1st ; 2nd ; 3rd Battalions Lt. Colonel Wittmann
5th Mountain Division Major Schaette From 6th Mountain
95th Mountain Regiment Major Count Castell zu Castell Division
Colonel Krakau
Mountain Artillery
Colonel Utz
Pioneers
Colonel Jais
Reconnaissance
85th Mountain Regiment Strength
1st; 2nd ; 3rd Battalions
100th Mountain Regiment
1st; 2nd 3rd Battalions
141st Mountain Regiment
Landed by Parachute & Glider Number Landed by troop-carrier
Maleme 1,860 13,980
Ayria Valley & Canea 2,460
Rethymno 1,380 22,040
Heraklion 2,360
Total Troops landed
Casualties
Killed and Missing Wounded POW
17 Officers
Paratroopers 3,074
Mountain Troops 580
Air Crew 312
2,594
XI Air Corps
• Air Assault Regiment (3 Parachute Battalions & a Glider Battalion)
• 7th Air Division (3 Parachute Rifle Regiments each of 3 Battalions)
• 3 Rifle Regiments from the 5th & 6th Mountain Divisions
• A Panzer Battalion
• A Motor Cycle Battalion
VIII Air Corps
• 228 Bombers
• 205 Dive Bombers
• 114 Twin Engine Fighters
• 119 Single Engine Fighters
• 50 Reconnaissance Aircraft
• 700 Junker Transport Aircraft {able to carry 5,000 troops
• 70 Towed Gliders on each flight}
A Ju 52 with
Paratroopers in
position
- 22 -
The Players
Australia
Brigadier George Vasey
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Campbell -2/1 Infantry Battalion
Lieutenant Colonel Ray Sandover -2/11 Infantry Battalion
Lieutenant Colonel Wellman Australian Corps of Signals
Major Paul Cohen (Cullen) -2/2 Infantry Battalion
New Zealand
Major General Bernard Freyberg VC
Brigadier Andrews
Brigadier Inglis
Brigadier Howard Kippenberger
Brigadier J Hargest
Brigadier (Acting Major General) Puttick
Lieutenant Colonel Gentry
Britain
Major General E.C. Weston Royal Marines
Lieutenant Colonel Wills
Capatain Morse RN
Brigadier B.H. Chappel
The Cretans
The Cretan Resistance Motto (or Battle Cry) during the period of the invasion and occupation was
“Death or Freedom”.
Cretan Partisans
The 800 Cretan Police Force, together with the Greek and Cretan Irregular Troops with the support of
the Allies joined together to defend their homeland. During the invasion and occupation over 50,000
Cretan’s died and in the village of Misseria only two were to survive.
Cretan Casualties
Location: Killed in Battle or Executed: Orphans: Houses destroyed:
Men Women Children Fatherless Motherless Both Parents Total Partial
480 4,562
Chania 2,200 405 418 3,338 1,098 380 2,669 1,300
185 4,942
Rethymnon 1,897 50 403 3,320 848 528 2,338
714
Heraklion 2,045 1,120 129 3,840 1,772 484 6,968 11,518
Laithi 431 20 2,017 739 549 938
Total 6,593 970 12,515 4,457 1,941 12,913
- 23 -
The bond that developed between the Cretans and the Allies can be seen on a building at Retimo where
a farmer has placed a plaque which says:
” in memory of the soldiers from far away whose blood is now part of the sacred soil of Crete”.
A sentiment similar to one expressed by Attaturk, at Gallipoli which also relates to the Anzacs troops.
Cretan Youth at the Commemoration
for Battle of Crete Cenotaph
Sydney
The Preveli Monastery
The Monastery in the village of Preveli played an important part in the battle for Crete. The
Monastery was seen as the rallying point for the allied troops who had been left behind after the
evacuation.
The Monastery at Preveli
The troops were made welcome by the Monks who would then arrange for small groups of about
twenty to be hidden and looked after by the various villages in the area, whilst their evacuation by
submarine was arranged.
- 24 -
On one occasion on the submarine HMS Thrasher about 70 troops were evacuated from the beach of
Limni just below the Monastery.
Map showing the location of the Preveli Monastery
The efforts of the Monks was not forgotten, one of those they assisted Geoffrey Evans of the 2/11
Battalion arranged for the building of ‘The Chapel of St. John the Theologian’ at Margaret River in
Western Australia and named his Caravan Park “Prevelly Park” a fitting tribute to the Monks and
villagers around Prevelli.
The unacknowledged
When the details of a campaign are recorded they usually refer to the actions and exploits of the major
units, those that are usually seen as the fighting (or glamour) units and very little is recorded about
those small units or corps many of whom are in the front line with the fighting troops and are also an
important part of the campaign. In fact without these units the others would have a very difficult time.
In Greece and Crete there were a number of these units, two in particular are deserving of recognition,
they were the members of the Australian Army Provost Corps (Military Police) and the Nurses who
were members of the Australian Army Nursing Service.
The Military Police
Reference is rarely found of the involvement of the Military Police in any campaigns. It is believed
(wrongly) that their activities only occurred in the rear echelon and involved such activities as –
checking leave passes, maintaining discipline and escorting VIPs. This is far from the truth.
There were some three hundred Military Police (Provost) who served in the Greek and Crete Campaign.
The 6th Division Provost Company were the first Military Police to be designated as ‘Combat Military
Police’.
- 25 -
The first Military Police to land in Greece arrived as the 1st Australian Corps Provost Company with
the 2/3 Infantry Battalion on the 18th and 19th March 1941, they were to be followed by the 6th Division
Provost Company and the 7th Division Provost Company and on Crete they were joined by the
Ordnance Provost Section.
In this campaign the Military Police certainly lived up to their Motto:
“First in Last Out”
They were highly involved in the campaign from the start, taking part in the following engagements:
• 14th April at Ellison and Portas Pass
• 19th April at Larissa and Thebes
• 18th - 23rd April at town of Lamia
• 24th April at Brallos Pass
• 26th April at Megra (one of the evacuation ports)
Brallos Pass
Part of the old Road at Brallos Pass
The Corps involvement was recognised very early in the campaign with Sgt. Tom Osborne receiving a
Military Medal (MM) for his actions at Portas Pass, with a second Military Medal being awarded to
S/Sgt. Edward Trench (later promoted to Lieutenant) who unfortunately was killed on the 12th January
1943 and is buried in Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery. During the actions of the 18th to 23rd
April at Lamia, Capt. John Grimshaw was awarded the Military Cross (MC). During the campaign
other members of the Corps were also to receive five, Mentioned in Dispatches (MIDs) one of these
being awarded to Lt. John Hazel, (later Captain) not a bad record for a Corps who many believe were
supposed to only be working in the rear echelon ‘Checking Passes and kicking arses “.
The Evacuation
The evacuation of so many troops required a co-ordinated plan and strict control. This fell in part on
the Military Police, they were required to keep the roads open and flowing event though they were
continually under attack to ensure that as many troops and as much equipment as possible reached the
evacuation points which were spread over many areas of Greece.
Whilst the troops withdrew it is reported that the members of 6th Division Provost whilst reinforcing
the order that all vehicles were required to travel with dimmed lights, they carried out a very
remarkable performance considering the heavy traffic on the road and the evacuation was successful
entirely due to the good traffic control of the MPs.
By the 19th April the 7th Division Provost were still ‘coolly’ directing the stragglers vehicles at Larrisa
knowing that the German Advance Guard could arrive at any time.
During the evacuation to Kalamata 600 vehicles containing 6000 troops were moved of 90 miles of
narrow winding mountain roads to the evacuation point Brigadier Allen said:
- 26 -
The march throughout was an exceedingly good one and the M.T. drivers are to be commended
for their sterling work. In the darkness driving from dusk to daylight, using only dim lights, it was
no easy task…….6 Aust Div Provost gave valuable assistance.
The admiration and respect for the Australian MPs is recorded in the comments of a ‘digger’ from 2/5
who had been left behind at Delphi to undertake some demolitions prior to leaving for the evacuation
point.
The movement from then on was blind; we proceeded on, asking the MPs for the embarkation beach; they sent
us on towards Corinth where we were sent on again. We me officers from other units, they could give us no
information. They did not know where they were going. We continued on the road and occasionally met MPs
who sent us on in the right direction.
This respect by the diggers for the Provost can be seen from the comments of Pte. Wal Gudgeon of the
2/8 Battalion when he said:
“ I reckon the 6Div Provost were heroes right through because it wasn’t spur of the moment to them Greece was a
continuous job. And these 6 Divvy Provost, they were magnificent they really were.”
Casualties
For a small Corps its casualties were very high.
Location 1st Australian Corps Provost Company Killed Wounded POWs
Greece 6th Division Provost Company 2 2 -
7th Division Provost Company 2 3
Crete 6th Division Provost Company 1 3 8
7th Division Provost Company 13
2 35
Ordnance Provost Section 9
The Corps endeared itself to the Greeks and during the campaign they referred to the Australian
Military Police as “English Cowboys” because of the way they rode their motorcycles on the mountain
roads.
Two Australian MPs
in Greece 1941
Whilst the role of the Military Policeman in Greece and Crete was mainly that of traffic control an
important part of any campaign, it became highly important during the evacuation of Greece as its was
necessary for the roads to be kept open and the vehicles and men moving to avoid being captured by
the Germans. This often meant that the Military Police were the ‘last to leave’ and therefore they
were all that stood between the evacuating troops and the Germans. They therefore became highly
involved in the rearguard action.
It is a matter of record that it was the work of the Military Police in carrying out their role of “traffic
control” so efficiently and other duties not necessarily expected of Military Police that the evacuation
was so successful. It is reported from numerous sources that the Military Police in this campaign were
highly regarded by the troops (diggers) for their actions in making sure that they were not captured
(refer to comments by Frank McManus of 1st Australian Corps Signals below), and the fact that they
engaged in many activities that were normally outside their designated role and therefore played an
important part in the rearguard action in Greece, particularly in the battle for Lamia.
- 27 -
The current Barracks of the Military Police at Holsworthy, New South Wales is named Lamia Barracks
in recognition of their involvement at the Battle for Lamia in 1941.
Recollections of Frank McManus 1st Australian Corps Signals (age 92)
“ Kalambaka (Meteora) – The Germans came across from Servia. We moved to Larissa on
the 20th April to be told by the Military Police to keep going or the Germans would get us.
The Australian Signals were digging in on one side of the road and the New Zealanders on
the other.
Heading the advice given by the MPs we moved down to the Corinth Canal where the Germans
eventually blew the bridge across the Canal. The German Paratroopers landed prior to our
evacuation to Crete on the British Anti Aircraft Ship HMS Hermes. Only for the advice from
the Military Police we might have ended up prisoners of war.
The Australian Provost (Military Police) and their relationship with the Digger
The Aussie ‘Digger’ of the 6th & 7th Divisions developed a high regard and respect for the MPs of the
6th & 7th Divisions and it is surprising to many soldiers that they regarded them as part of the ‘family’
they saw a clear distinction between “Provost and Military Police”. A Div Provost was seen as part of
the Division as they took part in all Division activities and exercises. However the troops were aware
that they were “Cops” and treated them with respect which was reciprocated by the MPs.
The term MP to the Digger, meant the Command Provost and to a lesser extend the Lines of
Communication (LOC) who were responsible for looking after the “leave towns” and who were the
“Bastards” who made a soldiers life miserable.
This feeling of respect for the MPs by the Aussie digger can be summed up in the words of Henry
Gullet MC [(the son of Sir H.S Gullet – Military Historian) Major H. Gullet MC was also one of the
Australians to be involved in the Normandy Landing] when he said of the work of Provost in Greece
“as a decent bunch of chaps doing a damn difficult job under most trying circumstances…. A number
of fellows owe their lives to our Div Pro Companies …..they stayed back at each of the defiles to ensure
all got through, and at the beaches they were the last to embark”.
The MPs in Greece shared the same difficulties as the fighting troops and during the withdrawal they
continued to carry out their designated role and may others not expected of MPs. A member of the
2/5th Battalion said about the work of the MPs- “we wouldn’t have known where to go if it was not for
the Provost fellas standing there with ‘hurricane lamps’ and telling us where to go”. In support of
the comments made by Frank McManus of Aust Corps Signals when he encountered the MPs at
Larissa, it is also reported that the MPs of 7th Div Pro ‘were still coolly directing the stragglers vehicles
even though the Germans could arrive at any time’.
These actions by the MPs endeared them to the other troops as they were exposing themselves to the
same dangers as themselves and in fact were prepared to place themselves between the enemy and the
withdrawing diggers to ensure they avoided capture.
Rearguard action
On the 18th April the men of the 2/1st Field Ambulance were bringing back wounded from Larissa and
had this to say about the MPs. - ‘we got through the roads with the wounded, due to the fine work being
done at great personal risk by the Provost, without their tireless efficiency many men and vehicles
could not have reached safety’.
- 28 -
Extract from the War Diary of 7th Australian Division Provost Company Greece 1941.
Setting the scene
“ The withdrawal of 16 Australian Infantry brigade during April 1941 involved some 600 vehicles and
6000 men moving south over winding mountain roads for three consecutive nights.
The 250 mile axis was under constant enemy air attack and 7 Div Pro Coy earned great praise for
unstinting efforts which contributed to the success of the mission.
The effectiveness of the control measures was in contrast with the chaos that existed in other
formations. It is also recorded by the Historian’s that on the 19 April 1941 that elements of 7 Div Pro
Coy (1 Offr and 18 Ors) were still coolly directing the few vehicles straggling behind the main columns.
This took place near the town of Lamia where 7 Div Pro Coy were part of the rear guard of the short
lived ANZAC Corps at the time when the enemy advanced guard was on the Northern outskirts of the
town”
War Diary
Lamia 11 April 1941: Fine. Routine patrols
Lamia 12 April 1941: Fine and Warm. Convoy patrol duties. First of units to retire.
Lamia 13 April 1941: Fine. Routine patrols. Lamia subjected to bombing.
Lamia 14 April 1941: Fine. Windy. Routine patrols.
Lamia 15 April 1941: Fine. CO and party proceeded to Volos to find alternate route from Larissa via
Pharsalos for retirement. While at Volos, subjected to aerial bombing and assisted in removal of
wounded. Volos evacuated.
Lamia 16 April 1941: Fine. General retirement information received, Pharsalos-Volos road impassable,
use alternate route, via Lamia then on to Volos.
Lamia 17 April 1941: Fine. All Coy en convoy, from Pharsalos to Thebes. Volume of traffic
increasing in density. Ocs of convoys advised to increase speed. Roads bombed and machine gunned
continuously. Members performed their duties under trying circumstances. Severe blockage of traffic
on North Pass near Lamia due to enemy severely bombing and machine gunning the roads.
Ammunition truck set on fire and with the assistance of CPL Pearce ammunition removed. Lamia
received a severe bombing attack at 1415hrs also straight road from Lamia to Bralos Pass received
severe bombing and machine gunning and as a result causing congestion of convoys on the road.
Exceptionally fine work was performed by Sgt. Harris.
Lamia 18 April 1941: At 0100hrs L/Cpl Barnes reported the presence of enemy troops, 15 miles along
Volos road. Instructed Cpl Pearce and party to investigate; and returned at 0415hrs. No presence of
enemy. Cpl reported that he had travelled 37 miles.
Fine but windy. 0530hrs enemy planes overhead. Patrols visited, convoys passing through township via
Bralos Pass moving South, also coast road. At 0545hrs enemy launched severe bombing attack. In
Lamia, this continued until 1030hrs. Roads through town impassable. Members of Coy clearing roads,
and could not obtain no assistance from Greek Military authorities. Traffic diverted to alternative
routes. Town burning fiercely. 0715hrs Col. Rogers 1 Aust Corps, visited bivouac, seeking
information as to whether the 21st BN, NZ Forces, had retired along Volos Road to Volos.
- 29 -
Informed the Colonel regarding Cpl Pearce’s patrol in the early hours of that morning and there had
been no contact with NZ or any other troops on that road. Informed from NZ BHQ Volos, Col Rodgers
concurred and requested that such intelligence be sent to Brig. Lee. Sgt Finch, Cpl Pearce left at 0730
hrs for Volos BHQ with instructions to proceed to Brig. Lee, Domokos. Sgt Finch, Cpl Pearce returned,
their task completed.
Lamia 18 April 1941: The volume of traffic from North to south very light. Members of Company
patrolling roads from Domokos to South side of Bralos Pass. At all times being subjected to machine
gunning. Received intelligence from Brig. Lee that he expected to retire from his position between
midnight and 0300hrs on 18/19th. At 1745hrs head of, Lee Force, column passed through Lamia
township on way South. 1810hrs straight road from Lamia town to Bralos Pass subjected to intense
bombing and machine gunning attack. Several vehicles damaged and slight delay. OC of convey
instructed that under the circumstances continue whilst being attacked by enemy.
All vehicles of Lee Force were cleared of the township of Lamia and the straight road without further
loss. At 1900hrs vehicles of Lee force, successfully negotiating roads at the Bralos Pass. At 1905hrs
contacted Brig. Lee, who reported all his men were clear. At 1915hrs, L/Cpls Swinfield, Hurst, Clarke,
Laughton, and McPherson reported, that all troops and vehicles were clear from the pass, North of
Lamia, through Lamia, and along the straight road. At 1920hrs members of this Coy, present when air
bridge along the road from Bralos Pass to Lamia was destroyed.
Liaouklade Railway Station and AuSup seen to be on fire, several culverts and a bridge on coast road
rear Lamia destroyed. At 1930hrs two very light lights were observed, South of the Lamia township,
signifying the arrival of the German troops along the Volos Road. At 2015hrs Capt. Grimshaw, Sgt
Harris, Finch, Walton,, Cpl Delaney, Swinfield, Pearce Hurst, Barrington, Smith left position at foot of
Bralos Pass on way south to locate Corps or force HQ. At 2025hrs and anti-tank gun opened fire, from
a position half way up the Bralos Mountain in the direction of Lamia.
From Bralos Pass proceeded to Thebes, stayed overnight.
Thebes 19 April 1941: Fine. Windy. Contacted Force HQ 12 miles from Thebes along Chalkis Road.
Moved entire Coy to camp site adjoining Force HQ. Chalkis Road bombed and machine gunned. Coy
wear, rested remained of the day.
Thebes 20 April 1941: Fine. Convoy and Point Duty Patrols on duty all day and night. Roads
continuously bombed and machine gunned throughout day.
Thebes 21 April 1941: Fine and windy. Convoy and Point duty Patrols day and night. Chalkis
bombed daily.
Thebes 22 April 1941: Remainder of Coy and camp moved to pine forest, one kilometre from town at
2330hrs.
Thebes 23 April 1941: Fine and Windy. Patrols and Point Duty Men posted. Delayed action and HE
bombs dropped on Thebes Railway Station. Took over complete traffic control from CMP at 2030hrs
RSM and remainder of Coy, not detailed on duty, sent to evacuation point, “D” beach. Capt Grimshaw,
Sgt Harris, Cpl Finch, Delaney, George,, Sgt Maddern, Cpl, Pearce, Batenby, L/Cps Potts and McEvoy,
Mallyon and Barnes. These are the men who remained on duty in and around Thebes, until all troops
and convoys had been safely conducted through the town. Delayed action bombs exploding throughout
the night. The party left Thebes at 0230hrs for evacuation point, “D” beach.
April 24 1941: Made camp in Olive Grove, 12 miles from evacuation point. Porto Rafts “D” Beach.
Remained hidden all day. Too late for evacuation that night.
- 30 -
April 25 1941: Fine. Remained hidden all day. Informed no evacuation that night.
April 26 1941: Fine and windy. Remained hidden till 1600hrs, then removed remainder to a spot
about three miles from beach. 1730hrs took over custody of two prisoners suspected of fifth column
activities. Three men detailed for duty on beach. At 2115hrs remaining personnel and prisoners
moved down to the beach.
April 27 1941: Still on beach, prisoners handed over at 0100hrs FSP. Embarked 0230hrs on HMT
“Salween” and moved from “D” Beach at 0300hrs.
Award of Military Cross
It was during the withdrawal at Lamia where Provost Officer Captain J.S Grimshaw won the Military
Cross for his part in this action. It was conferred by Major General Herring Commanding 7 Australian
Division.
The Citation of Award for NX12506 Captain John Spillard Grimshaw reads as follows:
“During the period 16-17 April at Lamia and 24-26 April at ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches to the east of Athens
Captain Grimshaw, by sheer force of character, calm efficiency and personal example was a source of
inspiration for his own men. At Lamia he imposed discipline and orderly continuous movement of
vehicles within the area under his control, whilst directing traffic during periods of heavy air attacks.
At ‘C’ and ‘D’ beaches his direction of traffic was of a high standard and materially affected the
number of vehicles which were evacuated from these beaches”.
Map showing area described in War Diary of 7th Division Provost Company
- 31 -
New Zealand Provost (Military Police)
Let us not forget our Kiwi Military Police brothers who worked closely with the Australian Military
Police.
Sergeant Clive Hume VC
Sgt. Hulme a member of the New Zealand Provost corps attached to the 23rd NZ Battalion Field
Punishment Centre in Crete was to be awarded one of the three (3) Victoria Crosses awarded during the
Battle for Crete.
During the attack Sgt Hulme was placed in charge of the allied prisoners who had been issued with
rifles to defend the island. During the next eight (8) days Sgt. Hulme became alegend- he freed a
number of New Zealanders who had been capture by the Germans – took part in the charge at Galatas
and he is credited with killing 33 Germans during this time.
Nurses
Australian Army Nurses served in all the campaigns in which Australians were involved during World
War II, Greece and Crete were no exceptions.
Nurses were generally attached to Australian Casualty Clearing Stations (ACCS) which are usually
positioned close to the front lines one such CCS was established at Larissa this enables injuries to be
treated quickly and an assessment make for transfer back to an Australian General Hospital (AGH),
where nurses and doctors are able to provide more intense or specialised medical services. The
Australian General Hospital in Greece was 15 miles outside Athens at Kephissa.
As the situation was deteriorating in Greece action was taken on the 19th April to evacuate all the
nurses of the 2/6th AGH in conformity with Australian Governments direction that Australian Nurses
were not to be left in Greece. They were placed on 24hours notice to leave. Unfortunately the ship
they were to board did not arrive when another ship arrive it was unable to take all of the nurses.
Australian Nurses Col. (Matron)
awaiting evacuation Kathleen Best
from Greece 1941
OBE RRC
(AWM 087663)
- 32 -
On the 20th the Hospital ship Oba arrived and again all the nurses could not be taken aboard due to a
German air raid, only twenty four nurses and Matron J.S. Abbot were able to leave. It required a
number of attempts to evacuate all the nurses. On the 23rd forty three nurses and nine masseuses were
evacuated the next group to be evacuated included 42 British and 40 Australian Nurses with
Colonel (Matron) Kathleen Best OBE RRC of 2/5 AGH was to be awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal
for her work.
The Royal Red Cross Medal
The last group to be evacuated required a trip to the evacuation point at Nafplion which was not easy
and on reaching Argos they were subject to an air attack and had to take refuge in a cemetery for nearly
the whole day. Typical Australians, they boiled the billy on a tombstone and had themselves a cup of
tea. The Australian Nurses were accompanied by their sisters from New Zealand and 400 walking
wounded.
On reaching Nafplion they boarded HMAS Voyager which took them to Crete, where they continued to
look after the casualties before being evacuated to Alexandria in Egypt before the fall of Crete.
Unfortunately for the nurses those doctors and other members of the Medical Corps they had worked
with at the 2/5 AGH were captured by the Germans on the 27th April 1941 and spent the rest of the war
as POWs During their captivity they made a Australian Red Ensign Flag and it was signed by 55 of
those who became POWs, the flag is now on display at the Australian War Memorial.
The Australian Red Ensign
Weary Dunlop
It is little know that Major Edward (Weary) Dunlop was highly involved in the organisation of the
Medical Services for the troops in Greece and Crete even though he did not go ‘in the bag’ with the
Germans he was not so lucky in Singapore.
Weary Dunlop arrived in Greece at 4.30pm on the 27th April 1941 with the 2/3 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station) and also served with the 2/5 AGH & the 2/6 AGH (Australian General Hospital). He was
evacuated to Crete and served with the British 189 Field Ambulance and was evacuated from Crete
before it fell to the Germans.
It is reported that he carried a .45 Pistol and on occasions threatened to use.
Recollections of a Greek Nurse (Zoe Tscukala Kakatoika)
In 1940 I was asked to serve in an English Hospital in Athens because I could speak some English. I
was asked to look after English and German soldiers.
Unfortunately the English sisters some 231 left soon after I arrived so as not to be captured by the
Germans. They sailed on the Ionia on the 29 April 1941as part of Convey G.A. 15 for Crete.
The building which was being used as the hospital had been a luxury Hotel in the town of Kifissia
before the war. Even though I was only 25year old at the time the soldiers would call me “Mama
Mana” - Nurses have mothers’ instincts.
- 33 -
Eventually German Nurses arrived at the hospital – what a shock; they were fat, very huge and rude,
something Greek Nurses could not understand as we were trained to be graceful and light movers and
charming.
Australian Corps of Signals
The Australian Corps of Signals sailed for Greece on the 1st April 1941 on the Pennland, which was
unfortunately sunk during the evacuation. On their arrival they were moved to Perdikka (Florina Gap)
and like most of the troops involved in the campaign they were continually on the move. As the
Germans advanced they moved to Kozani then to Larissa (refer to comments by Frank McManus) then
to Brallos Pass before being evacuated to Crete.
The members of the Signals Corps were evacuated from Crete (Sunda Bay) on 18th May 1941, their
casualties numbered 75 most became POWs.
Troops being evacuated
from Canea (Sunda Bay)
Crete
Major Paul Cohen (Cullen) 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion
Paul Cullen is an example of a ‘true blue Aussie’ and exemplifies the culture and character so well
known of Australians.
Major Paul Cohen (Cullen)
Whilst engaging the Germans during the early days of the invasion and during the evacuation he and
some of his troops were cut off from the rest of the allies near Pinos Gorge. Showing initiative and
determination he marched his small group of 12 Officers and 140 Other Ranks which included 21 New
Zealanders to the coast near Karista to locate a boat to escape from Greece.
Paul Cullen divided his group into small parties and he divided 200,000 drachma from the Regimental
Funds to each of the groups to assist with their escape. On the 25th of April PAC and his group were
ferried by the Greeks to Skialos and then by lugger to Chios.
Whilst at Chios Paul Cullen obtained a loan of 150,000 drachma from a Greek Ship owner, N.G.
Lemos to assist with their escape. Whilst they were only ten miles from Turkey it was decided it
might be dangerous to head in that direction as they were not sure if they might be handed over to the
Germans. On the 29th April they sailed for Crete arriving in Heraklion on the 5th May.
- 34 -
The route taken by Paul Cullen during his escape from Greece to Crete
Whilst in Crete Paul Cullen was again involved in the rearguard action and was the last Australian to be
evacuated to be evacuated from Crete having to swim to the last ship HMAS Nizam which was
evacuating the troops from Sfakia Beach.
He had a number of near misses during his time in Greece on one occasion his uniform was holed by
German Machine Gun fire during the Battle of Temple Gorge in Greece.
After these near misses and being aware of how he might be treated because of being Jewish if he
should be captured by the Germans he changed his named to Cullen the name by which he is still
known by to-day.
The kidnapping of General Kreipe
One of the little known actions which took place in Crete was the kidnapping of General Kreipe by the
British (SOE) {Special Operations Executive} and a group of Cretan Partisans.
The details of the kidnapping were restricted until 1950 when a movie “Ill Met by Moonlight” the
story of the kidnapping was released by the BBC.
The original target was to be General Muller the brutal commander on Crete- his luck changed briefly
and he was transferred and replaced by General Heinrich Kreipe. Unfortunately for Muller his luck
ran out and he was captured and executed by the Greeks in Athens on 20th May 1945.
-35-
The Kidnap Plan
The kidnap was planned for April 26 and carried out successfully. The General and his abductors
travelled across Crete for seventeen (17) days where he was finally taken from Crete by launch from
Rodakino about nine miles from Sphakia the beach used for the final evacuation of the allies from
Crete. In the group travelled 75 miles across the mountains of Crete in seven days to the beach from
which the General was to be removed from Crete.
42nd Street
In 1940 as part of the defence of Crete a small group of Royal Engineers (42nd Field Company) arrived
at Sunda Bay and set up camp in a dirt lane not far from Sunda Bay. They christened the area where
they were camped ‘42nd Street’ after the Ruby Keeler and Ginger Rogers Film 42nd Street which had
been made in 1933.
Map showing
42nd Street location
British Military Maps recorded the Sappers sense of humour and showed 42nd Street on all future maps
issued to arriving troops in the future which included some 10,00 Greeks, 6,500 Diggers and 7,700
Kiwis and 17,000 British who were to form ‘Creforce’ to defend Crete from invasion.
- 36 -
42nd Street gained importance in the first week of May 1941 when the Australians and New Zealanders
commenced their withdrawal towards Canea. By the 27th May the weakened battalions occupied a
line south from Sunda Bay to the foothills of the Malaxa escarpment [42nd Street]. They were to be
the rear guard for the evacuating troops to the beaches at Sfakia.
A view along
42nd Street
May 1941
The Australian Troops waited in the ‘Olive Grove’ of 42nd Street and attacked the advancing Germans
and caught them by surprise inflicting heavy casualties on the 141st German Regiment [killed 200 by
the Australians the Maoris killed a further 80 and 4 Australians lost their lives].
42nd Street can still be found to-day if one knows where to look – To day it is known as Chickalarion
Street it is no longer dirt but paved and now includes a cold storage warehouse and a Peugeot
dealership and the dirt embankment and olive grove are still there after 60 odd years.
The aftermath
One of the by- products of any military campaign is the death of a number of those involved. In
actions which have involved Australians who have given their lives, their remains where ever possible
are honoured and remembered by being brought together and buried in War Cemeteries. These
Cemeteries which are in many countries are looked after by the Australian War Graves part of the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Phaleron War Cemetery Athens
The Phaleron War Cemetery is on a sloping hill looking towards the Gulf of Saronika and the sea and
the Port of Piraeus, an area many of the Australians laying there at rest would remember.
There are 2,028 Commonwealth serviceman of World War II buried or commemorated in the cemetery.
Unfortunately like many War Cemeteries it also includes 596 burials who are unidentified and
Commemorative Plaques for those whose individual graves cannot be precisely located.
It also contains “The Phaleron Cremation Memorial” to the 74 men of the Indian Army who were
committed to fire according to their religious rites.
The Athens Memorial commemorated approximately 3,000 members of the Commonwealth Forces
who lost their lives during the campaigns of 1941, and 1944/45 and in the Dodecanese Islands in
1943/45 and in Yugoslavia in 1943/45 and who have no known graves.
- 37 -
Location of Phaleron
War Cemetery- Athens
Sunda Bay War Cemetery –Crete
Sunda Bay War Cemetery is located on the northern coast of Crete and is situated on a slope with
views of the sea and is located in an olive grove.
The cemetery is now the resting place of 1,502 Commonwealth Servicemen who died defending Crete.
The site was chosen after the war and enabled the transfer of remains from their original burial grounds
at Iraklon, Rethymnon, Galata and Chania.
Sunda Bay War Cemetery Crete
Also in Crete about 85 km from Sunda Bay on the coastal road in Stavromenos is a Memorial to the
Australian, British and Greek Serviceman and the Crete Partisans who help defend Crete.
Australia –Canbera
In Australia the deeds of the Australians and Greeks in defending Greece and Crete is commemorated
by the Australian- Hellenic Memorial adjacent to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Australian- Hellenic
Memorial- Canberra
- 38 -
Australian Units who served in Greece and Crete
Greece 6th Division Postal Unit
2/2 Ordnance Store Company
HQ 1 Aust. Corps 6th Division Employment Platoon
6th Division Reception Camp
HQ RAA 1 Aust. Corps 7th Division Reception Camp
HQ Guard Battalion
1 Aust. Corps Field Cash Office AIF Adm. HQ
Aust. Army Canteen Service
1 Aust Corps Signals
Crete
1 Aust Corps Salvage Unit
HQ 16th ; 17th ; 19th Brigade
1 Aust Corps Postal Unit Artillery
2/2; 2/3 Field Regiments
1 Aust Corps Troop Supply Column 7th LAA Battery
Engineers
1 Aust Corps Ammunition Park 2/1Field Company; 2/8 Field Company (strength of 150)
1 Aust Corps Petrol Park 2/2 Field Park Company
Signals
1 Aust Corps Anti Tank Regiment 1 Aust Corps Signals
6th Division 6th Division Signals
HQ 6th Division Infantry
6th Division Cavalry Regiment 2/1; 2/2; 2/3; 2/4; 2/5; 2/6; 2/7; 2/8; 2/11 Battalions
2/1 Machine Gun Battalion
Artillery Medical
HQ 6th Division RAA 5th Aust General Hospital
2/1; 2/2 2/7 Field Ambulance
2/1; 2/2; 2/3 Field Regiments Provost
6th Division Provost Company
2/3; 2/4; Light A.A Regiments; 2/7 LAA (Battery) 7th Division Provost Company
Ordnance Provost Section
2/1 Anti Tank Regiment Ordnance
2/1 Ordnance Store Company
16 Anti Tank Company 2/2 Ordnance Store Company
40 Base Ordnance Depot (BOD)
Engineers Support Units
2/2 Aust Field Workshops
HQ RAE 40; 80 Light Aid Detachments (LAD)
HQ AIF Postal Unit
HQ Corps Tps Engr. 6th Division Postal Unit
HQ 6th Division
2/1; 2/2; 2/8 Field Companies HQ 1 Aust Corps
6th Division Field Cash Office
2/2 Field Park Company HQ Base Area Unit Finance Section
Signals 16th Brigade 2/2 & 2/3 Composite Battalions
6th Division Signals 17th Brigade 2/5 & 2/6 Composite Battalions
Infantry - 39 -
HQ 16th Infantry Brigade
2/1; 2/2; 2/3 Infantry Battalions
HQ 17th Infantry Brigade
2/5; 2/6; 2/7 Infantry Battalions
HQ 19th Infantry Brigade
2/4; 2/8; 2/11 Infantry Battalions
2/2 Machine Gun Battalion
18th Infantry Training Battalion
Service Corps
HQ ASC
6th Division Supply Column
6th Division Ammunition Company
6th Division Petrol Company
Medical
5th ; 6th ; 8th Aust General Hospitals (AGH)
2/1st Motor Ambulance Convoy (MAC)
2/1st ; 2/3rd Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS)
2/1st & 2/3rd Field Hygiene Sections
2/1st ; 2/2nd ; 2/7th Field Ambulance
Provost
1 Aust Corps Provost Company
6th Division Provost Company
7th Division Provost Company
Support Units
2/2 Aust Field Workshops
80 Light aid Detachment (LAD)
6th Division Salvage Company
6th Division Field Cash Office
Units/Formations other than Australian involved in the Greek and Crete Campaign
Country Greece Crete
New Zealand 4th Brigade 4th Brigade – 18th & 19th Infantry Battalions
5th Brigade 5th Brigade – 21st & 22nd 28th (Maori) Infantry
Britain 6th Brigade
Battalions
27th Machine Gun Battalion
1st New Zealand Hospital NZF Composite Infantry Battalion
4th, 5th & 6th Field Ambulance 10th Brigade- 20th &23rd Battalions
4th Field Hygiene Sec.
Divisional Cavalry Regiment.
1st Armoured Brigade 4th Field Regiment
2nd Armoured Brigade 1st Battalion Rangers.
3rd Royal Tank Regiment Engineers Detachment
2nd Royal Horse Artillery Provost – 23rd NZ Battalion Field Punishment
64th Medium Regiment Centre
Kings Royal Rifles 14th Brigade – 4 Battalions; Kings Royal Rifles
26th British General Hospital 2nd Battalion Black Watch Regiment
189 Field Ambulance- 4th & 168th 2nd Battalion Yorks & Lancaster Regiment
Light Field Ambulance 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
24th Casualty Clearing Station. 1st Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
48th Field Hygiene 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment
7th Advanced Depot Medical Stores
Ambulance Car Company 2 Commando Units
RAF Units
Royal Marine Detachment ( 2 Sections)
1st Armoured Brigade
3rd Hussars (13 light Tanks)
7th Royal Tank Regiment (8 Matilda Tanks)
Northumberland Hussars
106th Royal Horse Artillery (used as Infantry)
7th Medium Regiment RA (used as Infantry)
102nd Anti-Tank (used as Infantry)
234th Medium Battery; 156th Light Anti Aircraft
Battery; 5th Coastal Defence Regiment
42nd Field Company Royal Engineers
187th Field Ambulance
Greek 12th Division, 19th ; 20th Division Cretan Gendarmerie [Police Force] (800)
21st Regiment 1st Greek Regiment (Kastelli Kissamou)
2nd ; 3rd ; 4th Greek Regiments
West Macedonian Army 5th ; 6th ; 7th ; 8th Greek Regiments
Central Macedonian Army ‘Royal Perivolians’ Composite Battalion
(22 Divisions) Cretan Irregulars
Epirus Army
Dodecanese Regiment
5th Cretan Division
Palestinians & Cypriots (4,670)
German 2nd Armoured Division 1st Assault Regiment -5 Battalions
9th Armoured Division 7th Air Division -1st,2nd & 3rd Parachute
112th Reconnaissance Unit
Regiments (each 3 Battalions)
Kleists’ Panzer Group 4th & 5th Mountain Divisions
40th Corps SS Adolf Hitler Division
11/100th Mountain Regiment
31st Armoured Regiment – 1 Battalion
5th Gebirg Division – a Panzer Battalion & a
Motorcycle Battalion
- 40 -
List of some of the ships involved during the Battle of Greece and Crete
Greece
Battleships Destroyers
HMS Barham (damaged) HMAS Stuart
HMS Warspite (Flagship) HMAS Vampire; Vendetta; Voyager
HMS Valiant (damaged) HMAS Waterhen
Heavy Cruisers HMS Decoy; Defender; Diamond (sunk)
HMS Ajax (sunk) HMS Griffin; Grimbsy
HMS Calcutta; HMS Carlisle; HMS Coventry HMS Hasty; Havock; Hereward; Hero; Hotspur
HMS Gloucester (sunk) HMS Isis
HMS Hermes HMS Kandahar; Kimberley; Kingston
HMS Orion HMS Nubian
HMS Phoebe HMS Wryneck (sunk)
HMS York (sunk) HMS York (sunk)
Light Cruisers Transports
HMAS Perth MV. Cameronia
SS Ardybank
Aircraft Carriers SS British Lord (damaged)
HMS Formidable SS British Science [oiler] (sunk)
HMS Illustrious (damaged) SS Cherryleaf
SS City of London
Minesweepers SS Clan Frazer (destroyed)
HMS Flamingo (sunk) SS Costa Rica (sunk)
HMS Hyacinth (sunk) [Corvette] SS Cyprian Prince (sunk)
HMS Muroto SS Delane
HMS Salvia (sunk) SS Devis (sunk)
SS Dilwarra
Hospital Ships SS Itria
Oba ; Dorsetshire SS Ionia ( evacuated nurses)
SS Kirkland
Armed Merchant Vessels SS Khendive Ismail
MV Delos SS Northern Prince (sunk)
SS Port Halifax
Transports (HMT) SS Rocos
HMS Glenearn (damaged) SS Runo
HMS Glengyle SS Salmat (sunk)
HMS Glenrey SS Salween
HMT Pentland (sunk) SS Scottish Prince (damaged)
HMT Ulster Prince (sunk) SS Teti
SS Thermoni
Landing Craft SS Thurland Castle
LCT- Landing Craft Tank SS Zealand
LCA- Landing Craft Assault/Troops
LCM- Landing Craft Mechanised/Vehicles
Naval Oil Tanker
RFA Brambleleaf
Unknown designation
HMS Bonaventure (sunk)
HMS Auckland
- 41 -
Naval Battle Maps
- 42 -
Cruiser Greek
Helle (sunk) Destroyers
Submarine Hydra (sunk)
Papantkolis
Transports Oilers
SS Bantia; SS Salmat (sunk) all on board lost. Nicholas Embririos (sunk); Solheim
MV Hellas (sunk) Koulanders Xenos ; Homefield (sunk)
Peridies (sunk)
Danish Oilers Other Nations
Marie Maersk (sunk) Italian
E. Lonora Maersk Battleship
Vitoria Vineto (Flagship) (damaged)
Cruisers
Flume (sunk); Pola (sunk); Zara (sunk)
Angelo Cabrini
Destroyers
Alfieri (sunk); Carducci (sunk); Tullis Tedeschi;
Garibaldi Alruzzi; Trento; Triestes; Bolzano
Torpedo Boat
Lupo
Crete
Battleships Destroyers
HMS Valiant (damaged) HMAS Napier; Nestor (sunk); Nizam (damaged)
HMS Warspite (damaged) HMAS Stuart
Heavy Cruisers HMAS Vampire; Vendetta; Voyager
HMS Ajax (damaged) HMAS Waterhen
HMS Calcutta (sunk) HMS Carlisle (damaged) HMS Decoy; Defender
HMS Coventry HMS Greyhound (sunk)
HMS Dido HMS Hasty; Havock; Hero; Hereward (sunk);
HMS Fiji (sunk) Hotspur
HMS Gloucester (sunk) HMS Ilex; Imperial (sunk)
HMS Naiad (damaged) HMS Jackal; Jaguar; Janus; Javlin; Jervis;
HMS Orion (sunk) Juno (sunk)
HMS Phoebe HMS Kandahar; Kashmir (sunk); Kelly (sunk);
HMS York (sunk) Kelvin; Kimberley; Kingston; Kipling
Light Cruisers HMS Nubian
HMAS Perth Minelayer
Aircraft Carrier HMS Abdiel
HMS Formidable(damaged) HMT Glengyle
Submarines Transports
HMS Thrasher; HMS Torbay SS Cossiebank
SS Corinthia
Sunderland Flying Boat. SS Rawnsley (sunk)
- 43 -
Naval Casualties
Type of Ship Sunk Damaged Killed Wounded
Aircraft Carrier 1 2000 500
Battleship 3 3
Cruisers 6 6
Destroyers 9
Crew
Military Casualties Crete
Killed Wounded POW Evacuated British
1742 1737 11,833 7,000 Australians
3,000 New Zealanders
4,500
* The Greek casualties are unknown.
30 Squadron – Blenheims Royal Air Force
203 Squadron – Blenheims
33 Squadron – Hurricanes Fleet Air Arm
80 Squadron – Hurricanes & Gladiators 805 Squadron – Flumes & Swordfish
112 Squadron – Hurricanes & Gladiators
Sunderland Flying Boats
Blenheim Bombers used during the Battle for Crete
Hurricane Fighter used during the Crete Campaign
- 44 -
Service details of some of the Military Police who served in the Greek and Crete Campaign
Casualties- Australian Army Provost Corps buried Phaleron War Cemetery Greece
Rank Lance Corporal Rank Lance Corporal
Surname JERROM Surname BARNES
Forenames Roy Matthew Forenames Albert George Ashworth
Regiment Australian Army Provost Corps Unit Text A.I.F. 1 Corps Pro. Coy
Service No. VX15471 Regiment Australian Army Provost Corps
Age. 24 Service No. VX36662
Date of Death 27th May 1941 Age
Date of Death 29
Commemoration ATHENS MEMORIAL 29th March 1941
Greece Face 12 Commemoration Phaleron War Cemetery
Greece. 3.A.20
Additional Son of Roy Clarence and Ida Additional Son of George & Margaret Barnes
Information Louise Jerrom Information Husband of Moira Evelyn Barnes
- 45 -
Rank Lance Corporal
Surname MONK
Forenames Hance Robert
Unit Text A.I.F. 1 Corps Prov. Company
Regiment Australian Army Provost Corps
Service No VX43784
Age 27
Date of Death 23rd April 1941
Commemoration Phaleron War Cemetery
Greece. 3.B.11
Additional
Information Son of Hance & Alice Monk of
Talbot Victoria.
Phaleron War Cemetery Athens
- 46 -
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Table of content Topic Page Preface Background The Greek approach The British perspective -What was originally agreed - What was provided The Australian view
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