Post by Dave Homewood on May 3, 2006 22:16:21 GMT 12
From TVNZ's website
tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/709928
Veterans to return to Crete
May 3, 2006
A farewell function was held at the Greek Embassy in Wellington on Wednesday for Cretan campaign veterans who are returning to the island 65 years after the Battle for Crete.
Two years ago the mayor of Crete's capital Hania invited veterans and their families back for this year's anniversary.
The trip will include a pilgrimage to a mountain village to honour the memory of a priest who harboured New Zealand soldiers after the battle in May 1941.
Descendants of the priest, members of the Maori battalion and the New Zealand Division and family and friends will make the pilgrimage.
The battle for Crete was a fight the Germans won - but at a huge cost. They lost more than 3,500 troops, almost double than that of the allied forces.
The trip will coincide with Battle of Crete commemorations being held on the island on May 20.
tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/709928
Veterans to return to Crete
May 3, 2006
A farewell function was held at the Greek Embassy in Wellington on Wednesday for Cretan campaign veterans who are returning to the island 65 years after the Battle for Crete.
Two years ago the mayor of Crete's capital Hania invited veterans and their families back for this year's anniversary.
The trip will include a pilgrimage to a mountain village to honour the memory of a priest who harboured New Zealand soldiers after the battle in May 1941.
Descendants of the priest, members of the Maori battalion and the New Zealand Division and family and friends will make the pilgrimage.
The battle for Crete was a fight the Germans won - but at a huge cost. They lost more than 3,500 troops, almost double than that of the allied forces.
The trip will coincide with Battle of Crete commemorations being held on the island on May 20.
