Battle of Crete

New Zealanders are held in high regard here on Crete because of their pivotal role in the Battle of Crete, May 1941. Most of the battle took part close by to where we are staying in Chania, on the northern coast so it is here that you can find the memorials, museums containing information and the Commonweath War Cemetery. On Monday we took a taxi out to Souda to visit the Cemetery. All the graves were moved from various parts of Crete to this one cemetery and it is very sobering to see how many of our "boys" lost their lives in this battle, along with those from Australia and the UK. There was a book containing all the names of those buried there and it included their ages and home towns. The cemetery is in a very picturesque spot over looking the bay and is immaculately maintained by the Greeks. While were there, two gardeners were weeding and deheading roses.

Yesterday we went to the Maritme Museum, and as well as lots of displays about the history of Chania, there was a whole section dedicated to the Battle of Crete. There are full size models of each of the Allied Forces in their uniforms. I am sure that they were pleased it was May and not summer with those thick khaki uniforms, and when you see where the New Zealanders had to go to evacuate, it is a wonder that there weren't greater loses.

Today we were in the city botanical gardens (they don't resemble NZ ones much as it is so dusty and dry) and we came across a memorial that the Australian and New Zealand RSA had erected in 1991 to commemorate 50 years.

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