Monastery on Crete where many Kiwis sought shelter after being left behind on Crete.
Captain George Brown of Nelson. A good friend of mine who died several years ago. When I visited Crete George was there for the first time since he was wounded, left behind and became a prisoner of war. He was shot in the knee by a sniper and had his leg amputated by a German military doctor. George was the Second in Command of the company which included Charles Upham. It was Charles Upham and a number of other soldiers that ripped a door off a house and carried George in to medical help when he was wounded. This picture was taken at the Galatas memorial for New Zealanders on Crete.
Rangi Sewell was 16 years old on Crete. A member of 28 Maori Battalion, he told some fine stories of his time as a runner. He spent a lot of time taking messages on foot between various units as the german parachute assault took place. He recalls the bayonet charge that the New Zealanders did and in which 28 Maori Battalion took part. I took this picture of Rangi talking to international media.
This picture was taken in the main German cemetery on Crete. Looking out to sea an over the Maleme airfield which was defended by the New Zealanders. This airfield was the focus of the German attack and was the scene of fierce fighting. The German cemetery is not allowed to have headstones standing and there are two men in each plot. The German’s are still not so welcome on Crete.
Two South Canterbury Crete Veterans. Both hard cases. Alan Hepburn ( Ashburton) and Bernie Dynes (Pleasant Point, who were in the official party to Crete, in front of the New Zealand memorial at Galatas on the evening of the official New Zealand commemorations, 18 May 2001. Alan was left behind on Crete and was on the run for 12 months. He wept when we visited the monastery and recalled the kindness shown to then and the risks taken by the priests during the German occupation. He was caught by an undercover German officer who asked for the time in English and before he could think he replied. A period of time as a prisoner of war followed.
Wayne Mapp, MP (now Minister of Defence), and New Zealand Crete veteran, Sonny Sewell, lay a wreath at the Australian
memorial at Stavramenos, 18 May 2001
A German veteran of the battle at the German war cemetery, Maleme. I took this photo of this paratrooper after trying to talk with him. He was a nasty bit of work and was not at all friendly.
Suda Bay War cemetery. A beautiful spot on the beach front.
Some further historical photos of the battle for Crete link here.
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Leading from the front 