VANZ News Issue 6
70th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete Commemorated
Battle of Crete veteran Charles Clemett and Crete sailor Stafnos Spartalis stood side by side as they laid a wreath in memory of the New Zealanders and Cretans who lost their lives 70 years ago during the Battle of Crete.
The struggle for Crete in May 1941 was a particularly fierce battle that cost New Zealand forces heavily, with 671 killed, 967 wounded.
Attendees at the wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington included His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand; Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins; Ambassador Hellenic Republic, His Excellency Mr Dimitrios Anninos; Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer; veterans of Crete, and members of the Greek and Cretan community.
National War Memorial Advisory Council Chair Rear Admiral David Ledson (Rtd) delivered the prologue, quoting from the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Military History: ‘There a scratch force made up largely of New Zealanders and Australians came tantalisingly close to inflicting Germany’s first land defeat of the war. It was a tragedy and serious defeat for the Allies but only by the narrowest of margins.’
The ceremony was supported by a catafalque party of New Zealand Army personnel and members of the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Veterans had travelled from all over the country to the ceremony and were honoured at a reception at Parliament hosted by Veterans’ Affairs Minister, Hon Judith Collins.