“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them”.
Crete was the scene of one of the most decisive battles of WWII.
It was the first and last time that paratroopers were used on such a big scale on the German side during WWII to capture a target. Most of them died during this battle but they succeeded in capturing one of the airfields which finally led to their loss of the island.
In 2017 we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the battle of Crete. It is a great opportunity for you to come and visit all the battlefields where the Greek, British, NZ and Australians fought against the paratroopers. It is a great opportunity because you will also have the chance to participate in the celebrations that will take place for this anniversary.
A soldier involved in the commemoration ceremonies of the Battle of Crete says he will be thinking about his grandfather and other soldiers who didn’t make it home.
Twenty-one members of the New Zealand Defence Force are in Crete representing New Zealand in multiple events for the 75th commemoration of the Battle of Crete.
The Battle of Crete occurred over 12 days starting May 20, 1941, when German paratroopers landed on the island.
More than 7700 New Zealanders served in the Battle of Crete, with 671 dying, 967 wounded and more than 2180 taken as prisoners of war.
Linton Military Camp Trooper Hayden Holmes, 22, said his grandfather was one of those taken as a prisoner of war.
Holmes is in Crete taking part in the commemorations and said he was not there as a holiday, but to remember his grandfather and all New Zealanders who died there.
He said his grandfather had been part of the 19th battalion and Holmes had been close to him while growing up.
His grandfather died a few years ago and he said the trip was a way to understand him.
“For me, it’s more trying to feel or trying to understand why he was the way he was – obviously war changes people, it’s a horrible thing.
“It’s also to grasp the fact or appreciate the fact many men went here and a lot of them didn’t come home.
“I’m going to take away the fact my granddad was one of those guys and was willing to lay down his life for people he didn’t even know.”
Private Rameka Thomas-Dorante, 24, also in Crete, said the experience was sobering.
“It’s a humbling experience to be here, especially with seeing the places where our soldiers fought.
“It’s good to gain a perspective.
“It’s not till you’re actually here that you experience what it would have been like for them.”
Lance Corporal Amber-Lee Nui, 22, said she had been in Fiji helping with cyclone recovery when she received the news she would be going to Crete.
“It’s like something out of a movie. I never thought I would ever be here, it’s pretty unreal.
“It was very emotional in some bits, because people died on the land we walked on.”
The New Zealand contingent would be involved in multiple ceremonies in Crete from May 19 till May 22.
in Crete