Crete,

[harribobs]

for those that haven't guessed, Crete is one of my special interests

although the mood of the island is definetly reconciliation towards the germans, they (quite rightly) still remember what happen during the war. each village has it's memorial to its casualties, civilian and andartes

so i am posting a few pictures which i hope will be of interest

the first is found in the mountain town of Anogia, this is the english translation, the other plaques ar ein greek and the original german

[harribobs]

the second is found in the town of Kandanos, unfortunatly i can only find this one in the original german

my (very) rough translation :-

In retaliation for the bestial murder of paratroopers and pioneers by the men and women of this area, Kandanos is destroyed

[harribobs]

the third is connected to the second set of plaques

it can be found in Floria which on the road to Kandanos, it's a german memorial to the men who were ambushed there by local civilians

the same men whose death was cause of the descruction of the town of Kandanos

it says a lot for the cretans that they have allowed this memorial at all

[Paul Reed]

Great stuff - thanks for sharing that with us.

[sappernz]

Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.

[harribobs]

Originally posted by sappernz@Feb 8 2005, 03:03 AM
Many years ago I had a cutting from a paper which showed a German soldier laying down his rifle, walking to a group of villagers and being shot by other Germans, along with the villagers.
He had refused to shoot the villagers as alleged partisans and was given the choice to either kill them or join them and be killed. He joined them.
This was either in Crete or Greece and there is a memorial to him in the village where this happened.
The photos were taken by another German soldier.
This is not a false story but true and would anyone know where this occured.
It ***** me off when I lose something like that.

Quoted post

Hi Sappernz

i've never heard of it happening in Crete (but that doesn't mean it didn't happen) are you sure it wasn't an italian soldier?

btw i have some pictures of the Galatas memorial if you would like to see it (the kiwi's are still remembered there)

chris

[sappernz]

Thanks Chris, would love to see the photos as my Dad and Uncle were in Greece and Crete.
The soldier was definitly German and it definitly happened, just cannot remember where exactly.

[harribobs]

there you go mate, taken around the end of may, so the 'wreaths' are very fresh

[sappernz]

Sorry Harribobs, do not know why I called you Chris. A beautiful photo mate. I must get there one day.
There is still a very strong Greek, Cretan, New Zealand bond here and mutual respect for all parties.

[harribobs]

Originally posted by sappernz@Feb 9 2005, 02:11 AM
Sorry Harribobs, do not know why I called you Chris. A beautiful photo mate. I must get there one day.
There is still a very strong Greek, Cretan, New Zealand bond here and mutual respect for all parties.

Quoted post

Sapper

chris is correct as well, harribobs is just a nickname

all the wreaths you can see are greek ones, there were a few poppies on there as well, you can see the cretan/NZ bond is still very strong. It's also one of the biggest village memorials I know.

chris