Battle of Crete memorial at Mount RSA this Sunday

NZ Herald

16-05-2025

The battle lasted 12 days and involved New Zealand, Australian, British and Greek troops, assisted by Cretan civilians, trying to repel an airborne assault by the Germans.
Of the 7700 New Zealand soldiers stationed on Crete, more than 2000 were captured, and 671 died.
Among the survivors was Adams' late father, Lieutenant Sergeant Bertram 'Snowy' Smith, who fought in the battle with the 20th Battalion, C Company.
Adams said Smith was away at World War II for four-and a-half years and returned home from the war to go farming in Whakamaru before he retired and spent 30 years in Tauranga before his death in 2000.
Adams said her father was reluctant to speak about his experience in the Battle of Crete to family and was only prompted on the subject once.
'They fired their rifles at the descending Para troops until their rifles overheated, waited until they cooled, then recommenced firing,' Adams said, retelling her late father's story.
However, Smith did speak to family passionately of the camaraderie during the war.
'[When] he was one of the walking wounded, he was tasked with finding his own way across Crete to Sfakia for evacuation, which included the 2000m high White Mountains and 100km trek.'
She said that along the way, the Cretans offered her dad shelter in hen houses.
Upon his arrival at Sfakia, he could see the hospital ships waiting offshore. Despite his injuries, he was able to swim out to the ship on May 29, 1941, his 24th birthday.
Adams said New Zealand's participation in the battle created a close relationship between Aotearoa and Crete.
'The Cretans love Kiwis because we as New Zealanders went during World War II to fight in their country and save the country from the enemy and lost a lot of lives in the process.
'There's been a close bond ever since with New Zealanders because they appreciate very much the sacrifice that New Zealanders made during World War II.'
At Sunday's service, there will be marching by the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit and the NZ Cadet Forces, a performance by Tauranga's Athena Greek Dance Group, followed by catering.
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