73RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE CRETAN FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND - 2014 02 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Η Κρήτη το απέδειξε με τον ηρωισμό της, σκληρά τονέ πολέμησε ετότες τον εχθρό της. ------Το Μάλεμε πώς να τα πει απού δεν έχει στόμα, πολλά κορμιά εσκέπασε το εδικό του χώμα. ------Οι Γερμανοί δεν το ’ξεραν αντίσταση θα βρούνε, τους Κρητικούς εθαύμασαν σκληρά πως πολεμούνε. Ανδρέας Γεωργ. Αρολιθιανάκης 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 03 Pancretan Association of Melbourne - Australia Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria P.O. Box 4512, Knox City Centre, VIC. 3152 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 ΕΤΩΣ ΙΔΡΥΣ ΕΩΣ 1980 Cretan Association of Queensland P.O. Box 5217, West End, QLD. 4101 Postal Address: P.O. Box 6083 Collingwood Nth VIC 3066, Melbourne, Australia. Cretan Association of Sydney & N.S.W. 1/57 Sydenham Road, Marrickville, NSW. 2204 Telephone: +61 408 855 109 Facsimilie: Cretan Association of New Zealand Email: P.O. Box 25578, Wellington, N.Z. Cretan Association of Canberra & Districts +61 386 250 033 G.P.O. Box 1699, Canberra, A.C.T. 2601 [email protected] Website: www.cretan.com.au Cretan Association of Darwin Ετήσιο Λεύκωμα για την 73η Επέτειο της Μάχης της Κρήτης Cretan Association of Tasmania 10/3 Kurringal Court, Eannie Bay, N.T. 0820 ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ 54 Lipcombe Avenue, Sandy Bay, Tasmania. 7005 • Παρουσίαση βιβλίων • Μηνύματα • Χαιρετισμοί Cretan Association of South Australia 220 Port Road, Alberton, S.A. 5014 • Δραστηριότητες σωματείων μελών της Κ.Ο.Α. & Ν.Ζ. • Προγράμματα • Χορηγοί Cretan Brotherhood of Western Australia 39 Paperbark Way, Morley, WA. 6062 04 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand National Executive (L-R) Andreas Fliatouras (Secretary), Aggie Mihelakis (Public Relations Officer), Michael Houdalakis (President), Eva Gotsis (Treasurer), Michael Frantzeskakis (Vice President) 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Κρητική Ομοσπονδία Αυστραλίας & Νέας Ζηλανδίας This year marks the 73rd anniversary whereby Crete was subject to the world’s first ever mainly airborne attack by the Germans. On the 20th of May 1941 this amazing island was vigorously attacked by German paratroopers but just as vigorously defended by the combined Greek, Australian, New Zealand and British allied forces. The Allies were under resourced in every way, military personnel, weapons and means of communication. However the Germans did not account for the Cretans’ love for their homeland and the fact that they were not going to give it up without a fight. After 10 days of battle, the Germans took control of the island but not without casualties. It was so great that Germans would never use parachute combat again. For the Australian, New Zealand and British troops the campaign ended in retreat, evacuation or capture. For the Cretans it was the start of four years of occupation by the Germans. Since the end of the Second World War, Crete has become a place of pilgrimage for the Australian, New Zealand and British troops who fought there and their families. The legacy of the battle that started in Crete on the 20th of May 1941 has united the Cretan and Australian and New Zealand people. A friendship bound by history and mutual respect that will last an eternity. Our generation and future generations should honour and will honour those individuals that fought an epic battle to ensure our freedom. Lest we forget. President Michael Houdalakis Η φετινή χρονιά σηματοδοτεί την 73η επέτειο, με το οποίο η Κρήτη δεχόταν παγκοσμίως αερομεταφερόμενη επίθεση από τους Γερμανούς. Στις 20 Μαΐου 1941, αυτό το ηρωικό νησί επιτέθηκε με ψυχή , όταν Γερμανοί αλεξιπτωτιστές πατούσαν Κρητικό έδαφος. Ελληνικές, Αυστραλέζικες, Νέας Ζηλανδίας και Βρετανικές συμμαχικές δυνάμεις αμύνθηκαν για την ελευθέρωση του νησιού. Ωστόσο οι Γερμανοί δεν έλαβαν υπόψη την αγάπη των Κρητικών για την πατρίδα τους και το γεγονός ότι δεν επρόκειτο να το εγκαταλείψουν χωρίς μάχη. Μετά από 10 ημέρες μάχη, οι Γερμανοί πήραν τον έλεγχο του νησιού ,αλλά με πάρα πολλές απώλειες. Ήταν τόσο μεγάλες απώλειες που δεν χρησιμοποιούσαν ξανά οι Γερμανοί αλεξίπτωτο. Για την αυστραλιανή, Νέα Ζηλανδία και Βρετανική συμμαχία η εκστρατεία έληξε σε υποχώρηση, εκκένωση ή τη σύλληψη. Για τους Κρητικούς αυτό ήταν όσο αφορά τα τέσσερα χρόνια της κατοχής από τους Γερμανούς. Από το τέλος του Δευτέρου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, η Κρήτη έχει γίνει μέρος προσκυνήματος για Αυστραλίας, Νέας Ζηλανδίας και βρετανικά στρατεύματα που πολέμησαν στην περιοχή και τις οικογένειές τους. Η κληρονομιά της μάχης που ξεκίνησε στην Κρήτη, στις 20 Μαΐου 1941 έχει ενώσει τους ανθρώπους της Κρητικής και της Αυστραλίας και της Νέας Ζηλανδίας. Μια φιλία που δεσμεύονται από την ιστορία και τον αμοιβαίο σεβασμό, που θα διαρκέσει μια αιωνιότητα. Μας γενιά και οι μελλοντικές γενιές θα πρέπει να τιμήσουμε τα άτομα που πάλεψαν για μια επική μάχη ώστε να εξασφαλιστεί την ελευθερία μας. ΔΕΝ ΞΕΧΝΩ… Πρόεδρος Μιχάλης Χουδαλάκης 05 06 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Basil Hayler: RAN Battle of Greece Veteran (23-10-1921 - 17-02-2014) By: Michael Sweet One of the last survivors of HMAS Perth - the Royal Australian Navy cruiser that played a major role in the Greek and Crete campaigns of WWII - died in February. Basil Hayler passed away at his home in Ferntree Gully, Victoria. He was 92. Basil George Hayler was born in Werribee in 1921 after his family had emigrated to Australia from England in 1911. There he grew up with his four siblings - Edward, Esther, Lily, and Maud - on a ten-acre soldier settlement site given to his father Edward for his service in France during WWI. To supplement the family’s income Hayler Senior tended a market garden, and his son developed a love of horticulture that would remain with him for the rest of his life. In 1938 Basil enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy, aged 16. In March 1941 his ship HMAS Perth took part in Operation Lustre - the deployment of Allied troops from Egypt to Greece, making two voyages with troops from Alexandria to Piraeus. Years later he would recount that whilst on shore leave, standing on the Acropolis, he witnessed the German bombing of Pireaus harbour as the Nazi invasion of Greece began. After playing a significant role in the Battle of Cape Matapan - where Allied forces gained control of the eastern Mediterranean until the fall of Crete - by late April 1941 HMAS Perth was evacuating a second generation of Anzacs from the Greek mainland. The next month the Perth took part in the Allied evacuation of Crete. Having picked up 1188 troops from the island on May 29, the Perth came under repeated enemy attacks as it made its way to Alexandria, with one bomb penetrating the Perth’s boiler room killing 13 crew and passengers Back in Egypt Basil was transferred to HMAS Stuart which was deployed on ‘the spud run’ - ferrying vital supplies to the besieged Allied forces in Tobruk. The move to the Stuart was fateful. In March 1942 HMAS Perth was sunk by the Japanese in the Battle of Sunda Strait with the loss of more than 340 lives. All but four of the 328 survivors were captured and made prisoners of war. In May 1944 whilst on leave in Australia, Basil married Pauline Kirkham who he had known since childhood. Two daughters followed: Julie - born in 1946, who predeceased him in a tragic car accident in 1998, and Dianne, born in 1948. After leaving the Navy in 1951 he became an electrical tradesman in Carnegie and eventually started his own business. Basil Hayler in 2011 with a commemorative plaque presented to him by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand. (Photo: Tom Andronas.) With a rekindled love of flowers, in 1961 Basil began a commercial lily nursery at Kallista in the Dandenong Ranges. He named his business after his favourite lily lilium auratum (the Golden Ray Lily of Japan). Golden Ray Gardens became one of the most successful nurseries of its kind in Australia, exporting worldwide. Basil had helped found the HMAS Perth Association and was its president for many years. Also president of the HMAS Hawkesbury Association - the ship upon which he ended his naval career - he was an active member of Boronia RSL sub branch, the Rats of Tobruk Association and the Australian Lilium Society. In the late 1980s Basil and Pauline left Melbourne to travel across Australia and eventually settled in Tweed Heads. Pauline passed away in 1993. He returned to Melbourne twelve years later to live in Ferntree Gully where he was able to spend the remainder of his life close to his family. Basil Hayler passed away peacefully on February 17 with his daughter and two granddaughters by his side. Known for his uplifting, generous personality, and gentle humour, he will be greatly missed. Basil is survived by his daughter Dianne, sister Esther, seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 07 Soldiers Dixie returned to Australia Michael and Dimi Frantzeskakis and their two children Stephen and Elena from Blackburn South Victoria, visited family and friends in Crete late 2005. On their journey they visited Michael’s cousin Spiros Panesakis. He showed them a soldiers pans set messing or more commonly known as a “Dixie” that his mother-inlaw had found in the battlefields after soldiers evacuated GALATA during the Battle of Crete. GALATA is situated approximately 15 minutes drive from Maleme. The German forces heavily attacked both areas in 1941. The “Dixie” had the soldiers Army official number “VX11339” and his initials “NJC” engraved into it plus his service history with the names of all countries and battles that he had been involved. As there were a lot of Australian and New Zealand troops in Crete at the time Spiro’s mother-in-law thought that the soldier who owned the “Dixie” would most likely be either Australian or New Zealand. On their return to Australia, Michael and Dimi being so fascinated by the “Dixie” searched Australian Government internet sites and found that the soldier was an Australian. The soldier’s name was Nicholas James Cottier born in Heywood Victoria on November 7, 1911. He joined the Australian Army on March 13, 1940 and was an infantry soldier with the Second Sixth Battalion and this is where our story begins. Michael and Dimi contacted the Heywood RSL Club to seek information on Nicholas. There was no record of him being involved with the club however the president gave Dimi the phone number of Harry Cottier of Casterton and suggested that he may be able to assist. Dimi rang Harry and asked him if he knew of a Nicholas James Cottier. Harry replied “Nicholas was my father”. Dimi recalls how nervous she was making the phone call and when Harry answered the phone she just didn’t know what to say or where to begin. After talking to Harry, Michael and Dimi organised for the “Dixie” to be returned from Crete to Australia. On March 19, 2006 Harry, wife Shirley and son Paul visited the Frantzeskakis family in Blackburn South and Michael presented Harry with his father’s “Dixie”. The Dixie was in excellent condition and has Nick’s service history engraved around the sides starting from when he enlisted in Melbourne in 1940. It reads Melbourne, Perth, Colombo, Aden, Suez, Kam- tara, Biet Jirga, Jerusalem, Telavive, Gaza, Hafia, Helwan, Cairo, Alexandra, Ikingi Marot, Sidi Henish, Mearsa Matruh Bardia, Tobruk, Derna, Bengasi, Giovani Berta, Bugbug, Amriya and Athens. After Nicholas fled Crete in 1941 he served in the Middle East and PNG before returning to Australia and discharging from the Army on October 22, 1945. Harry said “it is amazing that one of my fathers service possessions has been returned to Australia after 65 years”. He said that he would like to thank Michael and Dimi and the Panesakis family in Crete for making this incredible event happen. Harry and Shirley have four children in whom their three sons have all served or are currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy as musicians. Nick was also a musician playing drums in the Second Sixth Battalion Band. We thank Michael and Dimi Frantzeskakis and Paul Cottier for this amazing and wonderful story. 08 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Many happy returns Les Manning! Community honours Battle of Crete veteran Les Manning in 1940, and at his home today in Wantirna, Victoria. By: Michael Sweet Mr Les Manning - one of the few remaining WWII veterans who fought in the Battle of Crete, celebrated his one hundred and first birthday on April 19, and the Cretan community in Victoria were out in force to wish him many more happy returns. On Easter Monday, Les, accompanied by daughter Lynda, and three grand-daughters, was guest of honour at a special Easter lunch hosted by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne at the Cretan Village in Wantirna. A meal of mezedes and spit-roasted lamb, was followed by chocolate cake with a single candle, and the entire dining room singing Happy Birthday - in English and then Greek - to the old soldier. After Les thanked his fellow diners, his daughter Lynda Banks said the extraordinary affection shown by the Cretan community to her father was warmly appreciated. talion were sent to the island just before the German airborne invasion. The 2/7th were deployed at Georgioupolis in the opening days of the battle, but on 27 May 1941, they took part in what became known as the charge at 42nd Street near Souda, where Anzac troops forced back an elite division of Austrian mountain troops, buying time for other Allied soldiers to cross the White Mountains to the evacuation point at Sfakia. Les, pinned down by mortar fire at 42nd Street, made it to Sfakia days later, but like thousands of others, he was left behind. Evading capture briefly, Les became a prisoner of war and was shipped to Stalag 13 in Bavaria where he spent the rest of the war. Born and raised in Richmond, Leslie Manning - the son of a Flinders Lane rag trader - joined the 2/7th Battalion in October 1939, and left Port Melbourne for the Middle East in April 1940. A year later he was in Greece. “They make us feel so welcome, they’re a very loving and passionate people, and we feel like we’re part of their family,” said Lynda. After the war, Les worked as a security guard for the state savings bank in Melbourne. A father of four, he celebrated his sixtieth wedding anniversary with his wife Alma last year. “They come up to dad and kiss him. It’s a wonderful experience and I know it inspires him to live another two or three years at least.” John Nikolakakis, President of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne said that the Association was delighted to be able to mark Les’s 101st birthday with him. “It makes me feel great,” said Les as his daughter and granddaughters joined the traditional Cretan dancing accompanied by a bouzouki band. “To have him celebrate with us is an honor to us all,” said Mr Nikolakakis. Despite having suffered a stroke since turning 100, Les was in good form - still recounting his experiences of the Battle of Crete with great clarity. “To think this veteran was born before the events at Gallipoli in 1915, proves how much we should respect these very few veterans that are still with us. God bless you Les and Happy Birthday!” After the Allied evacuation of mainland Greece in April 1941, he and his fellow Diggers of the Victoria-raised 2/7 Bat- This article was originally published by Neos Kosmos English Edition. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 09 Arthur Leslie Leggett: ANZAC Veteran of Crete By: Dina Gerolymou Arthur Leslie Leggett was born in Sydney in 1918 and joined the militia in 1936. The outbreak of war found him a member of the 16th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia and it wasn’t long before he joined the army. Arthur was posted to the 2/11th Battalion as a signaller and fought in the Middle East before his deployment to Greece in April 1941. He saw action throughout Greece and was involved in the heavy fighting at Brallos Pass. Arthur was evacuated to Crete on the Thurland Castle which was divebombed several times on its way to Souda Bay. His battalion was then sent to defend the airfield in Rethymno and after 10 days of heavy fighting, the defenders surrendered. Arthur and some of his mates took to the hills trying to find a way out of the island; a week passed and the group, unarmed, hungry and exhausted, was captured. Arthur followed thousands of other POWs to Salonika and from there to stalag VIIC in Moosburg, Bavaria where he spent 18 months before being sent to Poland to work in the coal mines. Having survived the camps, Arthur endured another or deal: a 780 km march to avoid the advancing Allies. He was liberated by the Americans in 1945 and returned to Australia via England. Arthur’ s short English stay was enough for him to meet the girl of his dreams, Eileen. Fourteen months later she came to Australia, married Arthur and started a new life. In 2004 Arthur was awarded the medal of the Or der of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his ‘service to veterans and their families through the Ex-Prisoner of War Association of Western Australia, and to the community’. 10 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Commemorating Tripiti 1943-2013 Authors: Ian Frazer and John Irwin This short booklet (32 pages) was prepared to provide some background information for 70th anniversary commemoration services held at Tripiti on the south coast of western Crete. The reason for holding these services at Tripiti is because it was the site of the final evacuation of Allied soldiers from Crete on 7-8 May 1943, almost two years after these soldiers were left behind on the island. At least half a dozen Australian and New Zealand families with connections to the evacuees made the trip to Crete especially for the occasion. Most of the soldiers who were evacuated in May 1943 had been hiding in different parts of western Crete. They only survived through the assistance of Cretan families relying totally on those families for all their basic needs. The length of time that these soldiers spent waiting to be rescued meant that they formed very close bonds with the people who looked after them. The memorial erected at Tripiti pays tribute to the Cretan people for their assistance and for the sacrifice they made in providing it. The way in which these soldiers were contacted in widely separated parts of western Crete, and then rounded up in time for meeting the boat that was sent to pick them up, is in itself an amazing story. A New Zealand soldier, Staff Sergeant Tom Moir, who himself had escaped from Crete twelve months earlier, was sent to the island to carry out the task. He was landed in the east and because of exceptionally bad winter conditions it took him six weeks to reach the village Koustoyerako, in the west from where he organised the round-up of the soldiers. Moir had the misfortune to be captured a few days before the rescue boat was due, but his preparation and back-up from Australian soldiers and village leaders at Koustoyerako, was so thorough, that everything went ahead anyhow, and the rescue was successfully completed. There are lots of details in the booklet with many photographs of the people involved. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete The Battle Of 11 CRETE “The Untold Stories” Author: Dina Gerolymou “The German officer pulled out his Luger and shot Norm right between the eyes. These are the stories that will never be told” said the 93 year old World War 2 veteran fighting back tears. Yet, the Pancretan Association of Melbourne – Australia has embarked on a journey to gather material on Australian servicemen who fought in the Battle of Crete in 1941, in order to tell the stories that were kept hidden for decades. After years of determined and consistent efforts to bring to the fore eyewitness accounts and personal stories of Australian servicemen of WW2, these stories have been collected into a book titled “The Battle of Crete: the untold stories”. It contains the profiles of 66 veterans including personal narratives, photographs and letters never before published. The book also includes the stories of veterans’ descendants who shared their childhood memories with the Pancretan Association, making the book a living testament to Australia’s commitment to freedom and democracy. It also contains a series of profiles of veterans who have represented Australia in the 60th and 70th anniversary official commemorations of the battle of Crete in Greece. The book endeavours to record and preserve the shared history of Australia and Greece and serves as a contribution to the strengthening of the links between the two countries. “The Battle of Crete: The Untold Stories” is another piece of evidence of the commitment of the GreekAustralians from Cretan descent to pass on first-hand knowledge of important historical events which have left their mark on both the Australian and the Greek psyche. Furthermore, as many of WW 2 veterans included in this book are sons of ANZACS from First World War we believe the timing to be auspicious as we approach the centenary of the Great War. 12 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete INVASION!!! The First Reaction It was an awe-insipiring sight with the sky filled with parachutists, where landing all around. At the same time, it was quite alarming and the thought of being captured so early in the piece, quite shattering. When I was barefooted and still in pygamas and far from well after only two days treatment on a virtual starvation diet. Later, the very sight of a bully-beef tin was enough to make me vomit. Joseph Highet, Private, 19 Battalion I cried like a child, really frightened, then got stuck into the enemy. Howard Thomas, Private, Divisional Headquarters I felt disbelief – I’d thought they never would come. They got a hot reception when they did. The initial bombing and strafing was intense, causing me to see the only bit of comedy that morning. A small colony of black crows were forced out of the sky and settled near me. I could read their squawking screeches as they walked about. “If you fellows want the sky, we are coming down to walk!” Goulburn Whalen, Private, 19 Battalion “A Unique Sort of Battle” New Zealanders Remember Crete By: Megan Hutching I was scared stiff. John Haines, Sapper, 7 Field Company Engineers I was astonished. Some of the late arrivals from Greece told us of the parachutists at Corinth. ‘Bullshit,’ we said – it was all the more realistic when the Deutsch did arrive. Bill Boyce, Trooper, 4 Field Ambulance Parachute troops dropped right over the area. One parachute caught in a tree and swung over my slit trench; the sergeant yelled, “Don’t shoot! I’ll get him. “He fired and hit his grenades and he blew to pieces and his internals sprayed over me as he landed. Archibald Sears, Private, 19 Battalian There was a feeling of amazement and incredulity at having ‘sitting ducks’ to shoot at (and hit). Hugh Wilton Welch, Private, 19 Battalion Here the bastards come! My reaction was one of excitement. Ivan Divehall, Private, 23 Battalion So this is it. Our OC at B Company HQ simply said, “This is for the real boys, put your bayonets on, it’s either you or them.” Walter Gibbons, Private, 23 Battalion There was a sense of foreboding when the air blitz ceased. Next thing over our reserve area, a flight of silent, evil-looking gliders drifted over us. We could also see handy to us the Junkers troop carriers dropping their loads of parachutists. Unfortunately, I think in hindsight, we were under orders not to open fire unless under direct attack. We could have severely checked the gliders with the rifle fire. Arnold Hammond, Private, 18 Battalion Like everyone, I was scared out of my wits, until we started really fighting. Then we were so busy recharging our rifles, we had nothing else to think about. Alfred Watt, Private, Divisional Ammunition Company All hell was let loose. I shall never forget the pilot’s laughter as they dropped bombs and grenades on us. Nor will I forget the gliders with soldiers in which parachutes, firing on us as they came down. We had very little ammunition. John Ede, Private, 23 Battalion Our task was to repel a sea invasion, but (we) finished up very close to the action. I shot a German at 25 yards and was very upset in looking for his paybook to find a photo of his wife and two small children. The action was pretty hectic all day and we were subject to divebombing and machine-gunning. I lost half of my section. Kenneth Forbes-Faulkner, Corporal, 22 Battalion 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete The First Day of Battle “A Unique Sort of Battle” New Zealanders Remember Crete By: Megan Hutching We knew the night before so were partially prepared, but the actual event was more frightening than anticipated. We were told that the Germans would take no prisoners, so it was a case of kill or to be killed. In my mind’s eye I can still vividly picture the airborne soldiers dropping from the sky like confetti. The junkers 52 planes were full of troops and also towing large gliders full of troops. The sky was completely blanketed by parachutes dropping full equipped men as far as the eye could see. It was an awesome spectacle. With what little ammunition as was available to us, we did manage to kill 2000 Germans on that first day, but the paratroopers backed by the crack mountain troops, together with the total lack of the promised British air cover, eventually forced us into what is now called strategic withdrawal. George Heasley, Private, 20 Battalion As many of us were unarmed we were immediately captured by about ten paratroopers. (It was no fun to have a German push his loaded Schmeisser hard into one’s stomach.) We were then marched into olive groves, preparatory to joining us with other invading forces. Meanwhile, a passing patrol spotted us and opened fire on us all. The Germans replied until all were killed and I believe a few of us. I did not see any dead New Zealanders, only the dead Germans. The soldier next to me was 13 shot – the bullet just skimmed my head then slammed into the lower parts of his stomach. He died a few hours later. While keeping my head down in the foregoing shootout, for the first time in the war ‘I heard the silence’. For some moments there was no more noise. I wasn’t on Crete, but was marching with college cadets on Anzac Day in Wanganuui (where I did my schooling). I couldn’t see faces in the tank and was about to step onto the grass at Cook’s Gardens when the silence was broken by the bullet, which as I say missed my head and smacked into the chap alongside me. I did hear the silence at least twice more in the war, but can’t explain why, And why Anzac Day? Noel Atkinson, Gunner, 4 Field Regiment We lost two members of our platoon and the 19th Battalion OC during the first morning. A German paratrooper landed near our section but was dead before he landed. When the blitz started an old Greek woman arrived to collect any washing that we wanted doing. She was shaking badly and we did not know what to do with her. We decided to lead her down into our sergeant’s elaborate dugout which had a roof over it. She remained there all day. We gave her a bit to eat and a drink at lunchtime. During the evening when things quieted down we were told to take her out of our company lines and help her on her way home. Later on that night we went below our section position and buried our two mates and our OC, Captain Webster. Eric Oliver, Lance Corporal, 19 Battalion 14 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Ευχαρίστως ανταποκρινόμενος σε σχετικό αίτημα του οργάνου της Κρητικής Ομοσπονδίας Αυστραλίας και Νέας Ζηλανδίας σας απευθύνω το παρόν χαιρετιστήριον μήνυμα επ’ ευκαιρία της 73ης επετείου μάχης της Κρήτης. Και οι εφετεινοί εορτασμοί που με φιλοτιμία ετοιμάζετε ξανά, δεν μπορούν να έχουν άλλο νόημα παρά να υπενθυμίσουν δύο πράγματα: Αφ’ ενός, την προσφορά και τις θυσίες των ηρωικών προγόνων μας, που επραγματοποίησαν ένα έπος, σχεδόν στα όρια του θρύλου. Αφ’ ετέρου, τις ανάλογες υποχρεώσεις των εκάστοτε απογόνων έναντι ενός τόσο ένδοξου παρελθόντος .Και βέβαια μη λησμονήσουμε ποτέ και τον κοινόν αγώνα μας με τους Αυστραλούς και ΝέοΖηλανδούς συμμάχους . Με αυτές τις σκέψεις και τα αισθήματα συνεχούς αυτοκριτικής και εγρηγόρσεως, εύχομαι η Κρήτη να παραμείνει πάντοτε το ιδεώδες που θα οιστρηλατεί την προσωπική και την συλλογική ζωή μας, όπου κι’ αν είναι ταγμένος έκαστος. Ό Αυστραλίας Στυλιανός 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Holy Archdiocese of New Zealand Προς όλα τα μέλη της Κρητικής Ομοσπονδίας Αυστραλίας και νέας Ζηλανδίας και προς την Ελληνορθόδοξο παροικία της Μελβούρνης και όλης της Αυστραλίας. Απευθύνω με την ευκαιρία της επετείου της μάχης της Κρήτης αδελφικό χαιρετισμό, ευχόμενος όπως πάντα οι Έλληνες να δίνουμε παράδειγμα γενναιοψυχίας και αγάπης για την ελευθερία προς όλο τον κόσμο. Ιδιαίτερα στις μέρες μας που η φίλτατη πατρίδα μας η Ελλάδα δοκιμάζεται από ποικίλα προβλήματα και ιδιαίτερα από τον ύπουλο κίνδυνο της παγκοσμιοποιήσεως να μας αξιώσει ο Χριστός και η Παναγία να τα ξεπεράσουμε και ενωμένοι να διαφυλάξουμε την αυτοσυνειδησία μας. Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί Έλληνες Ζήτω η λεβεντομάνα Κρήτη Ζήτω η ένδοξη Ελλάδα μας Ζήτω η Κύπρος μας Ζήτω η Βόρειος Ήπειρος, η Ίμβρος και η Τένεδος μας Καλό Πάσχα Χριστός Ανέστη Ό Νέας Ζηλανδίας Αμφιλόχιος 15 16 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Η μάχη της Κρήτης, η επίκη αντίσταση των υπερασπιστών του νησιού εναντίον των Γερμανών εισβολέων, αποτελεί συνέχεια του μακρού καταλόγου ηρωικών πράξεων του κρητικού λάου, από την αρχή της ιστορίας. Ο Μάιος του ’41 είναι ημερομηνία σταθμός στην Κρητική και παγκόσμια ιστορία, ένας ύμνος στην ελευθερία και στο υψηλό φρόνημα ανεξαρτησίας και αυτοθυσίας του κρητικού λάου. Κρήτες όλων των ηλικιών, νέοι και γέροι, άνδρες και γυναίκες ,με ότι μέσο είχαν στην διάθεση τους και με τους Αυστραλούς βρετανούς και Νεοζηλανδούς συμμάχους έδωσαν τον αγώνα τους κατά του επίδοξου κατακτητή. 70 χρόνια μετά το μήνυμα αντίστασης των Κρητών μαχητών και των συμμάχων τους παραμένει ανεξίτηλο στη μνήμη όλων μας, θυμίζοντας μας ότι η υπεράσπιση και διαφύλαξη ιδανικών και αξίων της ελευθερίας, της δημοκρατίας, της δικαιοσύνης και της ανθρώπινης αξιοπρεπείας, είναι πανανθρώπινη υπόθεση και αγώνας διαρκής. Σας στέλνω μαζί με τους πατριωτικούς χαιρετισμούς μου και τις εγκάρδιες ευχές μου για προσωπική και οικογενειακή υγεία και ευτυχία. Πρόεδρος Κάρολος Παπούλιας 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Prime Minister of Greece Με ιδιαίτερη προσωπική συγκίνηση απευθύνομαι πάντα στους Έλληνες της Διασποράς. Και ιδιαίτερα σε σας, τους Κρήτες της Αυστραλίας, με τους οποίους με συνδέουν ιδιαίτεροι δεσμοί κοινών αγώνων για τα εθνικά δίκαια. Έχω ζήσει κάποια χρόνια της ζωής μου μαζί με τον Ελληνισμό της Διασποράς, έχω επισκεφθεί τους Έλληνες της Αυστραλίας και της Νέας Ζηλανδίας - χωρών με τις οποίες έχουμε τις καλύτερες σχέσεις - και συναντιέμαι συχνά με εκπροσώπους σας. Νιώθω, νιώθουμε όλοι, την αγάπη σας για την Ελλάδα και για την ιδιαίτερη πατρίδα σας την Κρήτη. Όπως γνωρίζω, γνωρίζουμε όλοι τη δημιουργικότητά σας… Πάντα προβληματιζόμουν γιατί οι Έλληνες, παντού στη Διασπορά δείχνουν τέτοιο δυναμισμό, ενώ στην πατρίδα τους μαραζώνουν. Σήμερα, λοιπόν, αλλάζουμε την χώρα μας! Χτίζουμε μια νέα Ελλάδα, όπου οι Έλληνες θα αναδεικνύουν τα ταλέντα και τη δημιουργικότητά τους, όπως ακριβώς κάνουν παντού στον κόσμο. Η Ελλάδα, και ασφαλώς η Κρήτη, ανέκαθεν αντιστεκόταν στις προσπάθειες υποδούλωσής της. Είναι γνωστή η ιδιαίτερη σχέση που συνδέει την Κρήτη με την Αυστραλία και τη Νέα Ζηλανδία, από την εποχή του Β΄ Παγκόσμιου Πολέμου, όταν Αυστραλοί και Νεοζηλανδοί στρατιώτες πολέμησαν δίπλα στους Έλληνες κατά τη Μάχη της Κρήτης. Ας μην ξεχνάμε ότι, από τους 7.000 Νεοζηλανδούς στρατιώτες που πολέμησαν σε εκείνη τη δεκαήμερη μάχη, οι 671 έπεσαν στη μάχη για τα δίκαια της Ελλάδας. Γι’ αυτό και το Wellington, πρωτεύουσα της Νέας Ζηλανδίας, έχει αδελφοποιηθεί από το 1984 με τα Χανιά της Κρήτης, ενώ το όνομα των Χανίων φέρει και η οδός στην οποία βρίσκεται ο ορθόδοξος Καθεδρικός Ναός του Wellington. Όπως τότε, έτσι και σήμερα η Ελλάδα αναγεννιέται μέσα από την πιο σοβαρή κρίση των τελευταίων δεκαετιών. Τότε κερδίσαμε την Ελευθερία μας από τον ξένο ζυγό. Σήμερα κερδίζουμε και εδραιώνουμε την Ελευθερία και τη δημιουργικότητα του λαού μας, από την εξάρτηση της υπερχρέωσης και του δανεισμού. Σπάμε αυτά τα δεσμά. Εξαλείφουμε τα ελλείμματα της οικονομίας μας. Αποκαθιστάμε την ανταγωνιστικότητα της παραγωγής μας. Ανοίγουμε το δρόμο στις επενδύσεις. Και αναπτύσσουμε τους ενεργειακούς πόρους της χώρας μας. Έχουν περάσει σχεδόν δύο αιώνες από το 1835, όταν η Κατερίνα-Γεωργία Πλέσσου έφθασε στο Σύδνεϋ της Αυστραλίας, ως η πρώτη ελληνίδα μετανάστρια, ακολουθώντας εκεί το σύζυγό της, Ταγματάρχη James Crummer. Ή από το 1842, όταν ο Γεώργιος Τραμουντάνας ήρθε ως ο πρώτος Έλληνας μετανάστης στο λιμάνι της Αδελαΐδας, στη Νότια Αυστραλία. Ακόμη παλαιότερη είναι η παρουσία Ελλήνων στη Νέα Ζηλανδία, από το 1798, όταν ένας αξιωματικός του εμπορικού πλοίου με το επώνυμο Κώνστας έφθασε από τη Σπάρτη στη Νέα Ζηλανδία. Από τότε, πολλές γενιές Ελλήνων αναζήτησαν ένα καλύτερο μέλλον στην Αυστραλία και τη Νέα Ζηλανδία, σφυρηλατώντας άρρηκτους δεσμούς φιλίας ανάμεσα στις χώρες μας. Κοντά δύο αιώνες ο Ελληνισμός της Αυστραλίας και της Νέας Ζηλανδίας διαπρέπει σε όλους τους τομείς: επαγγελματικά, επιστημονικά, επιχειρηματικά, εκπαιδευτικά και καλλιτεχνικά. Είμαστε υπερήφανοι για σας. Όπως κι εσείς είστε υπερήφανοι για την Ελλάδα. Σήμερα βάζουμε τις βάσεις ώστε πολύ σύντομα, η Ελλάδα να σας κάνει ακόμα πιο υπερήφανους. Σε πολύ λίγα χρόνια, στην επέτειο των 200 χρόνων της Ανεξαρτησίας μας, η πατρίδα μας θα είναι σταθερή, πιο ευημερούσα, πιο ανταγωνιστική και πιο ισχυρή από ποτέ. Αυτό δεν είναι μόνο δέσμευση δική μου. Είναι χρέος όλων μας. Μέρα με τη μέρα δίνουμε αυτό τον αγώνα. Και μέρα με την ημέρα τον κερδίζουμε. Ξέρουμε ότι έχουμε εσάς στο πλευρό μας. Και ξέρουμε ότι εσείς, ο απόδημος Ελληνισμός, είστε η μεγαλύτερη δύναμη της Ελλάδας. Πρωθυπουργός Αντώνης Σαμαρά 17 18 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Prime Minister of Australia I am pleased to provide this message for the commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Crete. On this day, Australians pause to remember the soldiers and civilians who fought, were wounded or lost their lives defending Crete. This battle forged a friendship between Australia and the people of Crete which endures to this day. The story of the Cretan struggle to retain control of their homeland and the bravery of the Allied forces helping defend it is one of courage, determination and sacrifice. Australians never forget how, at great personal risk, the people of Crete sheltered our soldiers and assisted them to escape the island following the German occupation. I send my warmest wishes to everyone commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The Hon Tony Abbott MP Prime Minister of New Zealand Today is an opportunity for us to commemorate and reflect on the courage shown by allied forces during the Battle of Crete. Allied forces from New Zealand, Greece, Australia, and Great Britain, and many Cretan civilians, fought bravely in an attempt to defend Crete against invasion. The battle came at a cost to New Zealanders. Among the casualties, 671 New Zealanders lost their lives and 2180 were captured as prisoners of war. Today is also a day to celebrate the courage and bravery shown by the many Cretan families who helped and cared for allied troops. Out of the battle over 70 years ago a special bond developed between two peoples. Many Cretan and Greek families chose to settle in New Zealand after the war. Today New Zealand has a vibrant Greek community that makes a valued contribution to our country. This, and the fact that many New Zealanders travel to Greece and Crete to remember those who fought, is a heartening example of the special relationship forged on Cretan soil. Above all else, today is a day to remember and honour those who fought and died during the battle. Their service and sacrifice reminds us why we should never take our democratic freedoms for granted. Rt Hon John Key 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Commonwealth of Australia The Battle of Crete is an important part of Australia’s long and distinguished military heritage. It has now been 73 years since Greek Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers fought side-by-side with local Cretans to protect their island from a massive German airborne invasion. This battle -ten days of constant bombardment and close-quarter fighting- was so intense and brutal that it forged an enduring bond of respect and friendship between Australia and Crete. I applaud the Cretan Federation for its work in promoting this enduring goodwill and extending it to a new generation as time goes on. This is a wonderful way to honour the service and sacrifice of so many brave men and women in Crete 73 years ago. Governer-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Commonwealth of New Zealand Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou – Warm greetings to you all. As Governor-General and Commander-in Chief of New Zealand, it is with great pleasure that I provide this message for the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand. 73 years ago, the Allied soldiers who took part in the desperate battle on Crete, in the face of a German invasion including an airborne attack, would have been hard pressed to see the result as anything but disastrous. The island, which Winston Churchill had exhorted them to hold at all costs, was lost and the Allied forces were forced to evacuate. The battle, which raged for 12 days, took a terrible toll. 15,000 soldiers were captured and more than 1700 men, including 671 New Zealanders were killed or died of their wounds. The losses were no less for the Cretan people, with over 8,000 men, women and children killed in battle or executed in reprisals during the following four years of occupation. The Battle of Crete, while a defeat, marked a turning point. The soldiers that were evacuated went on to repel the Axis troops in North Africa and later helped to successfully liberate Italy. The continued resistance of the Cretan people during the years that followed required more men on the ground than the Germans had anticipated, reducing the numbers available for the Russian front. Despite the losses incurred, the battle and the events that followed have taken on an aura all their own. Two of New Zealand’s Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions on Crete and the actions of the civilian population, in supporting and sheltering the New Zealanders who stayed behind, have become legendary. The bond that was forged as New Zealanders fought alongside Cretans remains strong. Cretan people continue to remember and acknowledge the efforts of the Kiwi soldiers just as we continue to pay tribute to the heroism and kindness of the Cretan people. The contribution of all those who served, soldier, sailor, airmen and civilian, is deservedly commemorated in this magazine. It is a chance for us to remember and honour all those who fought in defence of freedom. Ka maumahara tonu tātou kia rātou – We will remember them Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO Governor-General of New Zealand 19 20 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Ministry for Veteran’s Affairs Australia The long-standing bonds of friendship between Australian and Greece were strengthened during the Second World War’s darkest days when our two countries fought in a common cause against German aggression. The German Army invaded Greece in April 1941. Facing them was a combined British Commonwealth – mostly Australian and New Zealand – and Greek force. Lacking both aircraft and armour, Greece’s defenders were too poorly equipped and too widely dispersed to stem the German advance. Despite some successful local resistance, the Commonwealth forces were able to do little more than conduct a series of withdrawals towards the Peloponnesus from which most were evacuated over a week at the end of April. More than 300 Australian troops lost their lives in the Greek campaign and some 2,000 were taken prisoner. Hundreds more made their escape through the Greek Islands to Crete or North Africa. As the campaign in Greece reached its conclusion, the Allies were preparing to defend Crete against a German attack. Many who fought on Crete were veterans of the Greek campaign. Still poorly equipped and now tired from the fighting withdrawal through Greece, they faced a German airborne invasion that began on 20 May. The Germans suffered grievous losses, many were killed before reaching the ground or immediately afterwards and for a time it seemed that they would be defeated. Soon Crete’s fate hinged on the fighting around the airfield at Maleme. When the Germans prevailed here and began flying in reinforcements, the campaign turned in their favour and the Allies began evacuating the island. More than 300 Australians were killed on Crete and some 3,000 became prisoners of war. From bitter defeat in the Second World War grew a friendship between the people of Greece and Australia that has endured in the decades since 1941. Today we pay tribute to the Allied troops and the local Greek and Cretan people who fought and died in defence of Greece and Crete. We honour their memory at memorials such as those on Anzac Parade in Canberra, at Rethymno, scene of some of the heaviest fighting on Crete and at the Australian-Hellenic Memorial in Melbourne. Ηον. Michael Ronaldson Minister For Veteran’s Affairs Ministry for Veteran’s Affairs New Zealand It is my privilege to contribute a message dedicated to remembering the bravery and tenacity of all those New Zealanders, British, Australian and Greek troops, assisted by Cretan civilians, who tried to repel a huge airborne assault by thousands of elite German paratroopers on 20 May 1941. Whilst Crete was a major defeat for the Allied cause, the sacrifices and bravery of the New Zealanders was remarkable. The exploits of Charles Upham and Alfred Hume, both of whom were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for their actions on Crete, is the stuff of legend and it underlines the core values of courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity that so many of our veterans, past and present, demonstrate today. Crete holds a special place in the hearts and minds of all New Zealanders and the links to Crete remain strong. As we approach the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle for Crete, we remember all those who gave their lives in the name of peace and freedom. Hon. Michael Woodhouse Minister For Veteran’s Affairs 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας Η Μάχη της Κρήτης είναι ένα γεγονός μεγάλης πολιτικής, στρατιωτικής, γεωπολιτικής και ιστορικής σημασίας με σημαντικό οικουμενικό συμβολισμό. Πιστοί στις παραδόσεις και στους αγώνες των προγόνων τους, οι Έλληνες έδωσαν άλλη μία μάχη υπερασπιζόμενοι το έδαφος της πατρίδας και τις αξίες της ελευθερίας και της εθνικής αξιοπρέπειας. Μαζί με τους συμμάχους μας στον αγώνα ενάντια στο ναζισμό, ο ελληνικός στρατός και οι ανυπότακτοι Κρήτες προκάλεσαν σημαντικές απώλειες στο σώμα των Γερμανών Αλεξιπτωτιστών, τερμάτισαν τον ρόλο τους για το υπόλοιπο μέρος του πολέμου και καθυστέρησαν καθοριστικά στην εισβολή στη Σοβιετική Ένωση. Δεν είναι τυχαίο το γεγονός, ότι η Μάχη της Κρήτης αποτελεί κορυφαίο γεγονός στην παγκόσμια στρατιωτική ιστορία, αποτελώντας παράδειγμα ολοκληρωτικής αντίστασης ενός λαού. Χωρίς να διαθέτουμε τα μέσα και τον εξοπλισμό των εισβολέων, τον Μάιο του 1940 στην Κρήτη, δείξαμε σε όλο τον κόσμο, τι μπορεί να πετύχει ένας λαός, όταν είναι αποφασισμένος να προασπίσει τα δίκαιά του. Στους δύσκολους καιρούς που βιώνουμε ως έθνος, ο αγώνας της Κρήτης μας δίνει θάρρος και ενισχύει την αποφασιστικότητα του ελληνικού λαού. Μπορούσαμε τότε, μπορούμε και τώρα να κατακτήσουμε τη θέση μας στην ιστορία ως έθνος, ως υπερήφανοι και ελεύθεροι άνθρωποι. Η Μάχη της Κρήτης μας διδάσκει ότι το πατριωτικό φρόνημα, η ομοψυχία και η ενότητα, είναι τα πλέον βασικά στοιχεία που πρέπει να έχει ένας λαός για να προασπίσει τον ρόλο του στον ιστορικό και σύγχρονο χρόνο. Δημήτρης Αβραμόπουλος 21 22 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Ambassador of Greece to Australia Η απότιση προς τιμής στη Μάχης της Κρήτης αποτελή κορωνδία στην ιστορική σχέση μεταξύ Ελλάδος κ Αυστραλίας και κορυφαίο σημείο αναφοράς για τις μελλοντικές γενεές Ελλήνων και Αυστραλών. Συγχαίρω εσάς και το Συμβούλιο Κρητών για τις εορταστικές εκδηλώσεις τις οποίες προγραμματίζετε για το 2014 και σας ευχαριστούμε για την όλη συνεργασία σε ότι αφορά την πρόσκληση και την φιλοξενία της επίσημης ελληνικής αντιπροσωπείας η οποία θα επισκεφθεί εφέτος στην Αυστραλία. Ο φιλελληνισμός και η ομογένεια είναι δύο μεγάλα κεφάλαια τα οποία διαθέτει η Ελλάδα ως ήπια δύναμη. Εορτάζοντας κορυφαίες ιστορικές επετείους ως ομογένεια τονώνουμε τη μνήμη των φίλων μας Αυστραλών και διατηρούμε μια παράδοση αδελφοσύνης και ηρωισμού ζωντανή, κάτι το οποίο είναι πολύτιμο γιατί ενώνει ψυχικά δύο δημοκρατικούς λαούς γεφυρώνοντας γεωγραφικές αποστάσεις και εθνικές ιστορικές διαδρομές. Χάρης Δαφαράνος Πρέσβης Κανμπέρας Ambassador of Greece to New Zealand Rarely in the course of human history are the bonds between two nations forged in blood. Yet, this is exactly what happened during the Battle of Crete. The ties of friendship between Greeks and New Zealanders were initially based in the campaigns of World War I, though the warm friendship and mutual appreciation culminated during those twelve days of May 1941. Ever since, the relationship has been fostered by the thousands of Greeks who chose to settle in New Zealand and also by the Kiwi visitors to Greece, Crete in particular, where they are always given a warm welcome by a grateful people that have not forgotten the ultimate sacrifice of the 671 who fell alongside their Greek, British and Australian brothers in arms. For the people of Crete, the Battle constitutes yet another glorious moment in the long catalogue of heroic deeds of its men and women during the island’s tumultuous history. For the New Zealanders, it exemplified once more a fact apparent to everyone that has spend time in Aotearoa: that Kiwis, safe as they are in their relative geographic isolation, will never hesitate to fight and shed their blood for values deeply embedded in the psyche of this proud nation: freedom, justice and democracy. Today, the legacy of the Battle of Crete is also evident on the state level: Greece and New Zealand conduct their foreign policy responsibly, with peace, human rights, democracy and respect for international law as overarching principles. At his time of Remembrance, we are all privileged in having the opportunity to honour and preserve the memory and the ideals of the Battle of Crete and bequeath them to posterity. Vassilis Koinis Chargé d’Affaires 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Hellenic National Defence Lieutenant General George Petkos is the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS). Education: He was born in Veria. He joined the Hellenic Air Force Academy in 1977 and graduated in 1981 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He graduated from : • Air War College/Junior Officers • Air War College/Senior Officers • Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training in USA Foreign Languages: English Assignments: At first he was assigned in the Sheppard Air Base of USA as flight instructor in T-38 aircraft. Later on, he served in 120Air Training Wing /363Air Training Squadron as flight instructor in T-2E aircraft. He was assigned in 110CW/349 Day Interception Squadron in F-5A/B aircraft as Flight Air Group Commander and Operations Officer and then he took up the duties of Squadron Commander in 113CW/343 Day Interception Squadron. In the Hellenic Tactical Air Force (HTAF) he served as staff officer in the Air Ground Safety Direction and the Safety Directorate. He took up the duties of Director in the Staff Office of HAFGS Chief, in the Military Office of the Minister of National Defense and then he was assigned in the International Relations Directorate of HNDGS. He also served as director in the HAFGS Operations Center and then he served as Director of HAFGS Operations Direction and the Hellenic Air Force Academy Commander. Also, he was the Director HAFGS A’ Branch. Before his assumption of duties as the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff he was Deputy Chief of Staff of the HAFGS. Flight Responsibilities: He has more than 4500 flight hours. He has flown: T-41D, T-37B/C, T-2E, T-38 and F-5A/B aircraft. Promotions: • • • • • • • • • 2nd Lieutenant : 19/05/1981 1st Lieutenant : 25/05/1984 Captain : 02/06/1988 Major : 16/06/1993 Lieutenant Colonel : 06/05/1998 Colonel : 18/03/2003 Brigadire General : 04/03/2009 Major General : 09/03/2011 Lieutenant General: 08/03/2013 Medals - Decorations: • • • • • • Order of Honor Commander’s Badge Grand Commander’s Badge of “Order of Phoenix” Medal of Military Merit 1st Class Air Force Formation Command Medal 2nd Class Air Force Meritorious Command Medal 1st Class Staff Officer Service Commendation Medal 2nd Class Lieutenant General Georgios Petkos 23 24 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Governοr of Crete Είναι διαχρονικά τα μηνύματα της ιστορικής επετείου για τα ιδανικά της ελευθερίας της αλληλεγγύης, της συμπόρευσης όλων μας ώστε η χώρα μας να ξεπεράσει την κρίση και να ατενίσει με αισιοδοξία το μέλλον. Η Μάχη της Κρήτης, με την πρωτόγνωρη παλλαϊκή αντίσταση, συγκαταλέγεται από τους ιστορικούς στα σημαντικότερα γεγονότα του Β’ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου. Οι μνήμες ζωντανεύουν και τα συναισθήματα όλων μας είναι διάχυτα τιμώντας την 73η επέτειο της Μάχης της Κρήτης, με εκδηλώσεις στο νησί, στην υπόλοιπη Ελλάδα αλλά και στο εξωτερικό. Ο αγώνας, το πείσμα των Κρητικών για την ελευθερία και την δημοκρατία καθόρισαν τις τύχες του πολέμου, αφού, παρά τις αντίθετες προβλέψεις των εισβολέων: η μάχη είχε μεγάλη διάρκεια και τα επίλεκτα γερμανικά στρατεύματα υπέστησαν σκληρή δοκιμασία και σημαντικές απώλειες, από τις συμμαχικές δυνάμεις που αντιστάθηκαν και με κάθε τρόπο ανέτρεψαν τα επιχειρησιακά σχέδια του Χίτλερ. Αποτίουμε με ευλάβεια φόρο τιμής στους ήρωες που έπεσαν στα πεδία των μαχών για την πατρίδα. Ευχαριστούμε θερμά για την προσφορά τους, τους ζώντες μαχητές-βετεράνους της Μάχης της Κρήτης. Είμαστε ευγνώμονες στους συμπατριώτες μας μαχητές αλλά και στους βετεράνους των συμμαχικών στρατευμάτων, από την μακρινή Αυστραλία, τη Νέα Ζηλανδία αλλά και τη Βρετανία. Σταύρος Αρναουτάκης 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Αντιπεριφερειάρχη Ρεθύμνης Στη σύγχρονη εποχή μετά τους Bαλκανικούς αγώνες ξεχωρίζουν δύο μεγάλα σύμβολα: Το ΟΧΙ των Ελλήνων στον Μουσολίνι που οδήγησε στην πρώτη συμμαχική νίκη επί των δυνάμεων του φασισμού στα βουνά της Αλβανίας και η Μάχη της Κρήτης που αναπτέρωσε το ηθικό των σκλαβωμένων λαών της Ευρώπης ντρόπιασε τις αήττητες έως τότε δυνάμεις της Βερμαχτ και καθυστέρησε την εισβολή των Χιτλερικών στην Σoβιετική Ένωση με αποτέλεσμα να τους βρει ο χειμώνας και να τους σταματήσει μπροστά στην Μόσχα. Ο Μάιος του 1941 αποτελεί ημερομηνία σταθμό στην κρητική και παγκόσμια ιστορία, έναν ύμνο στην ελευθερία και στο υψηλό φρόνημα ανεξαρτησίας και αυτοθυσίας του κρητικού λαού, που επέδειξε μνημειώδη αντίσταση ενάντια στα χιτλερικά στρα-τεύματα. Κρητικοί κάθε ηλικίας σε όρη και ακτές ένωσαν τις δυνάμεις τους με τους Βρετανούς, Αυστραλούς και Νοεοζηλανδούς συμμάχους και όρθωσαν το ανάστημά τους, σε μια μάχη υπό στρατιωτικούς όρους «άνιση», αλλά καθοριστική, όπως αποδείχτηκε στη συνέχεια για τη διάλυση του ναζιστικού μορφώματος, που ήθελε να υποτάξει τους λαούς της Ευρώπης. Η Κρητική αδούλωτη ψυχή και λεβεντιά, δε λύγισε την χιτλερική μηχανή, που μέχρι τότε ισοπέδωνε τους ισχυρότερους ευρωπαϊκούς στρατούς, ωστόσο δυσκόλεψε πέραν του αναμενόμενου τον εχθρό και σίγουρα τον έκανε να αναθεωρήσει τα επιτελικά του σχέδια ματαιώνοντας με αυτό τον τρόπο επελάσεις του σε άλλες περιοχές της Ευρώπης και της Μέσης Ανατολής. Οι πρόγονοί μας θρήνησαν χιλιάδες απώλειες στο έπος της Μάχης της Κρήτης, νικήθηκαν, αλλά δεν υποτάχτηκαν. Αυτό το «οξύμωρο σχήμα» καθιστά τη Μάχη της Μάχη της Κρήτης ένα τόσο ξεχωριστό γεγονός για την κρητική και ελληνική ιστορία και ταυτόχρονα σημείο αναφοράς για όλους τους λαούς, που συμμερίζονται τις αρχές της ελευθερίας και δημοκρατίας και του σεβασμού στην ιερότητα της ανθρώπινης ζωής. Και θα είμαστε πάντα περήφανοι για αυτό. Μαρία Λιόνη Αντιπεριφερειάρχης Χανίων 73 χρόνια κλείνουν φέτος από τη Μάχη της Κρήτης, αυτή την λαμπρή σελίδα της Ιστορίας μας, αλλά και της Παγκόσμιας Ιστορίας. 73 χρόνια πριν, ο Κρητικός Λαός, πιστός στις αξίες της φυλής, αντιμετώπισε τις σκοτεινές δυνάμεις της ανελευθερίας και της υποταγής με κάθε μέσο, με κάθε τρόπο, καθυστερώντας την κυριαρχία τους και δίνοντας έτσι το περιθώριο στις Συμμαχικές Δυνάμεις να προετοιμάσουν την νικηφόρα αντεπίθεση. Το χρονικό της Μάχης της Κρήτης θα ξεχωρίζει για πάντα μέσα στο χρόνο, όχι μόνο για τον εκπληκτικό ηρωισμό των προγόνων μας. Θα ξεχωρίζει ταυτόχρονα για τη συγκινητική συνύπαρξη διαφορετικών λαών στο πεδίο της Μάχης, λαών από όλα τα πλάτη και τα μήκη της γης, που ήρθαν στην κρητική γη και στάθηκαν δίπλα στους ντόπιους, για να αγωνισθούν μαζί για την Λευτεριά. Οι συμπολεμιστές από την Αυστραλία και τη Νέα Ζηλανδία, έγραψαν στα χώματά μας την δική τους ηρωική σελίδα. Ο τόπος μας έχει να διηγηθεί τις ιστορίες τους, ιστορίες ηρωικές, ιστορίες αλληλεγγύης, ιστορίες βαθιών συναισθημάτων, που αναπτύχθηκαν μεταξύ των Κρητών και των Συμμάχων. Ανθρώπινες ιστορίες που αποδεικνύουν ότι η μεγαλοσύνη στους λαούς βρίσκεται στη συναδέλφωσή τους, πώς με αυτό τον τρόπο μόνο μπορούμε να πορευθούμε μέσα στο χρόνο δημιουργώντας έναν οικουμενικό πολιτισμό. Οι μνήμες σ’ αυτή την πορεία πρέπει να μένουν πάντα εναργές, για να μας διδάσκουν και να μας καθοδηγούν. Για αυτό το λόγο, η Κρητική Ομοσπονδία της Αυστραλίας και της Νέας Ζηλανδίας με συγκινεί βαθύτατα με το έργο της. Σας στέλνω τα χαιρετίσματά μου από την Πατρίδα και σας ευχαριστώ θερμά που με κάνετε κοινωνό αυτού του έργου. Απόστολος Βουλγαράκης 25 26 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών Με την ευκαιρία των εορτασμών της 73ης Επετείου της Μάχης, στο όνομα των Αποδήμων Κρητών όπου Γης το Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών υπενθυμίζει την υπερηφάνειά του για τις θυσίες των Ελλήνων και ιδιαίτερα των Κρητών για τις πανανθρώπινες και διαχρονικές αξίες, όπως η Ελευθερία, η Αλληλεγγύη, ο Αλληλοσεβασμός, ο Κοινός αγώνας για την εικράτησή τους, όπως το απέδειξαν και με την Μάχη της Κρήτης, και με τη συμμετοχή πολιτών από τις φιλόξενες και φίλες χώρες μας την Αυστραλία και τη Νέα Ζηλανδία. Διαβεβαιώνει για την πίστη των Αποδήμων Κρητών στις πανανθρώπινες και διαχρονικές αυτές αξίες προυπόθεση για τη συνεργασία, την πρόοδο και την ειρήνη μεταξύ των λαών. Πίστη που ατελεί οδηγό για τη πορεία, τη δράση και το έργο των Αποδήμων Κρητών, αναπόσπαστο και δυναμικό μέρος του Απόδημου Ελληνισμού. Καλεί τους Κρήτες και τους Ελληνες γενικότερα όπου Γης να μην ξεχνούν τι έχουν προσφέρει, τι δικαιούνται αλλά και τι μπορούν ώστε να συνεχίζουν να διακρίνονται και να προσφέρουν όπου Γης και ιδιαίτερα στην Ελλάδα μας σ’αυτή τη δύσκολη περίοδο που διανύει. Το Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών είναι βεβαιο πως οι Κρήτηες όπου Γης είναι σήμερα νοερά στην Κρήτη και συμμετέχουν στους εορτασμούς. Οχι μόνο για την απόδοση τιμής. Οχι μόνο για την αναζωογόνηση της μνήμης, αλλά και για τη βούληση ότι ακόμη και διαφορετικοί, αλλά ενωμένοι, και αποφασισμένοι μπορούμε να είμαστε αντάξιοι εκείνων που τιμούμε, για να έχουμε μια Κρήτη μπροστάρα σε μια Ελλάδα που αξίζουμε κι ένα Κόσμο πιο αδελφικό και ανθρώπινο. Πρόεδρος Αντώνης Σ. Τσουρδαλάκης 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of New Zealand Να ‘χεν η γης πατήματα Κί ο ουρανός κερκέλια Να πάτουν τα πατήματα, να ‘πιανα τα κερκέλια Να δώσω σεισμα τ’ ουρανού και σεισμα του πελάγου. Αυτό ήταν το τραγούδι του Βενιζέλου, που το τραγουδούσε στα χρόνια των αγώνων του στη Κρήτη κi αργότερα πάλι σαν μαχητής - Κυβερνήτης- διπλωμάτης και οργανωτής του νεοελληνικού κράτους. Και το τραγουδούσε γιατί αυτό το τραγούδι εξέφραζε όχι μόνο την δυναμική του προσωπικότητα αλλά και την αστείρευτη αγάπη του για την ιδιαίτερη του Πατρίδα. Τόσο μεγάλο και δυνατό ένιωθε τον εαυτό του και το πίστευε πως αν η Γη είχε πατάρια να πατήσει για να πιάσει τα κερκέλια τ’ ουρανού, θα μπορούσε να σεισει τη γη και το Συμπαν για το καλό της Πατρίδας του. Πολλές φορές έκανε αναφορά στον Θουκυδίδη και στο ρητό του «Το μυστικό της ευτυχίας είναι η ελευθερία. Το μυστικό της ελευθερίας είναι η τόλμη». Συμπατριώτες, εφέτος είναι 74 χρόνια απο το φωτεινό ορόσημο της σύχρονης ιστορίας του Ελληνισμού, αυτό της Μάχης της Κρήτης. Οι υπερήφανοι πρόγονοι μας μαζί με τους Νεοζηλανδούς και Αυστραλούς τότε έκαμαν το καθήκον τους. Πολλοί από αυτούς έδωσαν την ζωή τους για να είμαστε εμείς Ελεύθεροι. Εμείς σαν απόγονοι αυτών των Ηρώων πρέπει να διαφυλάξουμε πάση θυσία τίς ιερές μνήμες και τα διαχρονικά μυνήματα από την Μάχη της Κρήτης γιατί πρέπει να τα παραδώσουμε ατόφια αλλά και με τον δέοντα σεβασμό στις μεταγενέστερες γενιές. Όλοι μαζί με “μια φωνή” ας σιγοτραγουδήσουμε αυτους τους στίχους και άς “τολμήσουμε” λοιπόν να “ελευθερωθούμε” από τους καινούργιους δυνάστες / κατακτητές και ίσως τότε να γευτούμε την “αληθινή ευτυχία της Ελευθερίας, τής αξιοπρέπειας, της δικαιοσύνης και της ευημερίας“. Σήμερα η Πατρίδα μας βρίσκεται και πάλι σε μια δύσκολη καμπή της ιστορίας της. Μονιασμένοι, με θάρρος, αυτοπεποίθηση, υπερηφάνια, σωστο προγραματισμό αλλά και με σεβασμό στα ιδανικά της Πατρίδος μας είμαι σίγουρος ότι και πάλι θα ξεπεράσουμε αυτόν τον σκόπελο. Άλλωστε εμείς οι Κρητικοί “ειμαστε γενημένοι” γιά να αγωνιζόμαστε. Τιμή, Δόξα και Σεβασμό στους Ηρωες της Μάχης της Κρήτης. Πρόεδρος Γιώργος Νεονάκης 27 28 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Κρητικής Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνη & Βικτωρίας My first exposure to the Battle of Crete was through my father’s stories of the German occupation of Crete. As a 10 year old, he and his friends would steal bread from the back of German jeeps, and occasionally the more sympathetic German soldiers would sneak them some food when their superiors were not looking. My most profound experience was when I visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda in 2005. The extent of ANZAC involvement in the Battle of Crete really hit me as I walked through the endless rows of tombstones with the names of Australians, Kiwis and Britons. We live in a land which shares a strong bond and mutual respect with Crete. Both Cretans and ANZACs are renowned for their fighting spirit, bravery and resilience. In May 1941 they fought desperately side by side for 10 days to effect a crucial mass resistance against the Axis forces. As the generation of Cretans, Australians and New Zealanders with first hand experience of the Battle of Crete gradually leave our world, it is vital that we preserve their legacy to ensure the learnings and bonds of our two homelands formed in May 1941, are carried through to future generations. The annual commemoration of the Battle of Crete is so important for this reason alone. President Jim Papadimitriou Παγκρητία Ένωση Μελβούρνης - Αυστραλίας Με μεγάλη ευχάριστη επικοινωνώ μαζί σας και φέτος με αφορμή τον εορτασμό της Επετείου της Μάχης Της Κρήτης. Μιας Επετείου που σφράγισε την ένδοξη ιστορία του τόπου μας και τους ηρωικούς αγώνες του λαού μας για λευτεριά. Δε μπορούμε ως Κρητικοί παρά να είμαστε υπερήφανη για τους προγόνους μας, που με περίσσεια γεννοιότητα και αυτοθυσία έθεσαν εαυτούς απέναντι στην μανία του ναζιστικού φασιστικού εισβολέα. Η Γερμανική Στρατιωτική μηχανή, που μέχρι εκείνο το πρωινό του Μάη του 1941, δούλευε στην εντέλεια, ξαφνικά μπλόκαρε, μόλις πάτησε στο Κρητικό έδαφος. Μαζί με τους φίλους και σύμαχους Αυστραλούς, Νεοζηλανδούς και Βρετανούς, οι πρόγονοι μας κατάθεσαν το αίμα τους και τη ζωή τους για να υποτρέψουν την υποδούλωση σε έναν λυσσαλέο και βάρβαρο κατακτητή. Τιμή και δοψα τους ανήκει όπως και να παραμένει ζωντανή στη μνήμη ολων μας η υπέρτατη θυσία και η αγωνιστικότητα τους. Πρόεδρος Γιάννης Νικολακάκης Κρητική Αδελφότητα Σύδνεη As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Greek campaign and the Battle of Crete we can reflect on it’s lasting legacy. Up until the attack on Greece the Germans seemed invincible and they anticipated another easy victory but not everything would go according to their plans this time. In Crete, for the first time in the war, the Germans encountered the spontaneous and ferocious resistance from ordinary people which started with the invasion, continued throughout the occupation and locked German soldiers into a state of relentless conflict. In that sense it was a turning point and signalled the beginning of the end of the German dream of world domination. The difference this time was that the locals shared their plight with the ANZACS and in so doing created a lasting bond between the nations of Australia, New Zealand and Greece. This bond is not only based on our shared wartime experiences but on our common respect of individuality and personal freedom, our disdain for authoritarianism and our willingness to defend these virtues against anyone that seeks to take them from us. As the memories from the Battle of Crete slowly fade into history these common virtues forged in war will continue to bind our three nations together well into the future and represent it’s lasting legacy. President Nick Janes 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Κρητική Αδελφότητα Κουηνσλάνδης Αγαπητοί Πατριώτες, Με την ευκαιρία των εκδηλώσεων για την 73η επετείου της Μάχης της Κρήτης, θα ήθελα να στείλω ένα θερμό χαιρετισμό στους Κρήτες στην Αυστραλία και στην Νέα Ζηλανδία. Πριν από 73 χρόνια Έλληνες, Αυστραλοί και Νέο Ζηλανδοί πολέμησαν μαζί για να ζούμε εμείς σήμερα ελεύθεροι. Είναι σημαντικό οι εκδηλώσεις της Μάχης της Κρήτης να συνεχίζονται κάθε χρόνο, για να μην λησμονήσουμε όλους που πολεμήσανε για να μπορούμε να ζούμε ελεύθεροι και να μπορούμε να κρατάμε την παράδοση, την γλώσσα και την παράδοση των προγόνων μας. Υποστήριξη πρέπει να συνεχιστεί προς της Αδελφότητες/Ενώσης που έχουν δυσκολίες να καταφέρουνε αυτό το στόχο. Πρώτα ο θεός θα ανταμωθούμε το 2015 στο Wellington για την ετήσια συνεδρίαση της Κρητικής Ομοσπονδίας Αυστραλίας και Νέα Ζηλανδίας Με πατριωτικούς χαιρετισμούς, Πρόεδρος Μιχάλης Αρβανιτάκης Cretan Association of Canberra & Districts As a second generation Australian of Cretan born parents, I have grown up hearing the tales of struggle of sacrifice suffered in Crete during the German invasion of 1941. The Allied Australian, New Zealand, Greek and British forces who fought in Greece and Crete faced overwhelming odds whilst defending Crete. Islanders and Allies fought side by side, creating a bond and friendship that remain strong to this day. It is a privilege to play apart in seeing these bonds continue into the future. May we always remember those who fell giving their lives for freedom. On behalf of the Cretan association of Canberra and Districts, I wish to congratulate the Cretan Federation on organising the commemorations for the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. President George Paterakis Σύνδεσμος Κρητών Νοτίου Αυστραλίας Για μία ακόμη χρονιά γιορτάζουμε την επέτειο για τα 73 χρόνια από την Μάχη της Κρήτης και δίνουμε φόρο τιμής σ’ αυτους τους ηρωικούς προγόνους μας, οι οποίοι με την ανδρεία τους, τη λεβεντιά τους και την αυταπάρνηση της ζωής τους, με μόνο σκοπό τη μη παράδοση της πατρίδας στον εχθρό, κατάφεραν και έσωσαν τα χώματά μας. Το ηθικό και η συμμετοχή του άμαχου πληθυσμού, έπαιξε καθοριστικό ρόλο στην έκβαση της ιστορίας, αφού με όποια μέσα διέθεταν έστειναν ενέδρες και έδιναν τον δικό τους «κλεφτοπόλεμο». Είχαν εμπιστοσύνη στο δίκαιό τους και την ψυχική τους δύναμη. Ήταν ενωμένοι και κατάφεραν το ακατόρθωτο. Φόρος τιμής σ’ αυτούς τους ηρωικούς πεσόντες στη Μάχη της Κρήτης που μας άφησαν μία πατρίδα ελεύθερη. Τη λεβεντογέννα Κρήτη μας, η οποία με τη σειρά της έγινε η πατρίδα του Βιτσέντζου Κορνάρου, του Δομίνικου Θεοτοκόπουλου (El Greco), του Ελευθέριου Βενιζέλου, του Νίκου Ξυλούρη, της λεβεντιάς και της λύρας. Η Μεγαλόνησος που έχει κάθε Κρητικός μέσα του. Πρόεδρος Λάμπρος Κόλλης 29 30 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Κρητική Αδελφότητα Δυτικής Αυστραλίας Αγαπητοί Συμπατριώτες Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά επικοινωνώ μαζί για να σας απευθύνω χαιρετισμό με την ευκαιρία των εκδηλώσεων της ιστορικής μάχης της Κρήτης. Με σεβασμό στη μνήμη των μαχητών και πεσόντων της Μαχης της Κρήτης, Κρητών και Ελλήνων και ξένων. Η γεναιώτητα και η αυτοθυσία των ανωνύμων ηρώων της μαχης της Κρητης τον Μάη του 1941 οδήγησε να γραφτεί ακόμα μια χρυσή σελίδα στην ιστορία μας. Ας κάνουμε πράξη τη ζωή μας το μήνυμα του αγώνα τους, την αγαπη για τη ζωή και την ελευθερία που στην εποχή μας σημαίνει πάθος για την ειρήνη. Με πατριωτικους χαιρετισμούς Πρόεδρος Μανόλης Γερογιαννάκης Κρητική Αδελφότητα Τασμανίας Φέτος εορτάζουμε την 73η επέτειο της Μάχης της Κρήτης, μια από τις πιο δραματικές μάχες του Β’ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου. Αυστραλοί, Βρετανοί, Νεοζηλανδοί, Eλληνικά στρατεύματα και άμαχοι Κρητικοί αντιπετώπισαν μια τεράστια Γερμανική αεροπορική επίθεση εισβολής δείχνοντας τεράστιο θάρρος σ’ αυτόν τον συντριπτικά άνισο αγώνα. Ενώ το Τρίτο Ράιχ τελικά κατάφερε να καταλάβει το νησί, η Κρήτη κατά τις δέκα ημέρες της αντίστασης προξένησε τόσο μεγάλες απώλειες στις Γερμανικές δυνάμεις ώστε ο Φύρερ εγκατέλειψε τα σχέδια για τυχόν παρόμοιες επιθέσεις στο μέλλον θρηνώντας την απώλεια 4500 ειδικά εκπαιδευμένων αλεξιπτωτιστών. Σε αυτή την επέτειο θα σταθούμε για λίγο ευλαβικά για να τιμήσουμε όλους εκείνους που πάλεψαν θαρραλέα στη Μάχη της Κρήτης, καθώς και τους πολλούς Κρητικούς που έχασαν τη ζωή τους κατά τους μήνες μετά από τη μάχη και που με κίνδυνο της ζωής τους και των οικογενειών τους έκρυψαν τους συμμάχους και τους βοήθησαν να φύγουν από το νησί . Εκ μέρους του Συλλόγου Κρητών της Τασμανίας, θα ήθελα επίσης να εκμεταλλευτώ αυτή την ευκαιρία για να ευχαριστήσω την Κρητική Ομοσπονδία, καθώς και όλους όσους παίρνουν μέρος στην εκδήλωση μας για τη συνεχή υποστήριξή τους. Πρόεδρος Γιάννης Φιωτάκης Κρητική Αδελφότητα Βόρειας Επικράτειας Με ευκαιρία της επετείου της Μάχης της Κρήτης θα ήθελα να στείλω σε όλους τους Κρητές πατριώτες μας τους θερμούς μου χαιρετισμούς. Ενωμένοι όλοι οι Κρητές με τους Έλληνες, Άγγλους, Αυστραλούς και Νέο Ζηλανδους πολέμησαν τους Γερμανούς για την ελευθερία και ειρήνη. Ο Ιωάννης. Μεταξάς είπε Όχι ο ελληνικός λαός είπε Όχι και ο Κρητικος λαός δεν είπε μόνο Όχι αλλά αγωνίστηκε και θυσιάστηκε μέχρι την ημέρα τής απελευθέρωσης. Οι Κρητές ξέρουν πραγματικά να πολεμούν και αυτό ήταν αιτία που σήμανε την αρχή και το τέλος του Χιτλερικού Ιμπεριαλισμού. Σήμερα τιμούμε την μνήμη αυτών που θυσιάστηκαν για να απολαμβάνουμε την ελευθερία. Πάντα ενωμένοι στην μακρινή αλλά φιλόξενη Αυστραλία μπορούμε να διατηρήσουμε και να διαφυλάξουμε αυτά που παρέδωσαν οι πρόγονοι μας. Με πατριωτικούς χαιρετισμούς Πρόεδρος Κωσταντίνος Χνάρης 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Youth of Australia & New Zealand This year we have come together to commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Crete; a battle where the ANZACS, British, and Greek soldiers fought alongside Cretan men, women and children. Together they attempted to resist the German forces from taking over the last piece of unoccupied Greek soil. Crete had great strategic importance in the Mediterranean. It has a central position in the Aegean and it is the largest of the islands in the eastern Mediterranean. The harbour at Suda Bay was the largest in the Mediterranean Sea and an ideal base for naval operations. Control of the island was desirable to both the British and Germans. For the British, it would have given them even greater control of the Mediterranean and therefore consolidate their control of the northern end of the Suez Canal. Additionally, British bombers could also use the airfields to bomb the oil plants at Ploesti in Romania. For the Germans, the base could have been used to attack British shipping in the area and disrupt the British use of the Suez Canal. Crete could also be used as a pit stop for men heading to the North African theatre of war. Dubbed Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury) the plan was simple; it was headed by Kurt Student the Nazis were to obtain the island in as little time possible, and where instructed to not delay further operations. Therefore they were ordered by Hitler to attack from the sky, using primarily airborne and air units that were already in the area. It was the first and last time such an airborne assault was ordered on a major target. Hitler’s Nazi Germany suffered immense losses in their attempt to take over Crete. Amongst the use of ancient weapons used throughout the Balkan and First World War we have also heard of recollections that involve young children hitting tangled paratroopers over the head with whatever they could find, in order to disorientate them before a final blow could be actioned by an older stronger individual. In one recorded case of extreme brutality against the German Fallschirmjäger, an elderly Cretan man clubbed a paratrooper to death with his walking cane before the German could disentangle himself from his parachute lines. All in all Hitler lost over 6,500 hundred of his best men in what resulted as a Pyrrhic victory. Hitler did not only lose a substantial percentage of his troops, he had lost a substantial amount of time in his quest to obtain Crete, and furthermore he had lost the trust in the use of his paratroopers. In the midst of these harrowing events one thing is certain, Crete and her children with the aid of allied troops stood proud against the German brutality. Young men looked death straight in the eyes and did not flinch, nor did they give the Germans the satisfaction that they so very much sought after. Even when the large portion of the battle was over, the Cretan locals put their lives on the line to keep allied troops whom had been left behind safe from been capture and, or imminent death by the hands of the German forces. We have come together to celebrate and pay homage to those who fought and fell some 73 years ago, to those whom are yet to be publically acknowledged for the hardship they faced throughout the war, and to those that gave their youthful years and lives for us to be so fortunate to live in freedom as Greek-Australians....as Cretans. ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ!!! ΖΗΤΩ Η ΚΡΗΤΗ!!! ΖΗΤΟ Η ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ!!! Lest We Forget President James Zoumis 31 32 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Pancretan Youth of Melbourne My name is Paula Sagiadellis and I live in Melbourne. My grandfather is of Cretan descent. When anyone asks me what makes me so passionate about my Cretan heritage, I have many clear images that I can remember. I have the images of me dancing from the age of four. The feeling I got back then of dancing in front of my family, up until now, have only grown stronger. I can clearly remember watching my mother and grandfather dancing Cretan together and I always looked up to them, aspiring to be as passionate as they are. Some of my fondest memories are of my grandfather telling me stories about Crete. The time I spent with him listening to the many stories about his life in Crete and the strength that he had to move to Australia will remain life lessons. My grandfather is the reason I am so proud to be Cretan, I wear my costume with such pride because I know how proud he is of the continuing the Cretan traditions, I know he is watching over me with a smile on his face. I plan to pass these onto my children. I suppose it is very hard to explain in one paragraph what makes me Cretan as words cannot clearly capture what I feel in my heart…… President Paula Sagiadellis Cretan Brotherhood Youth of Melbourne Victoria I am very pleased to mark this anniversary of the Battle of Crete with a message of commemoration. On this anniversary we pause to remember the extraordinary courage, and honour the sacrifice of the defenders of Crete. Troops from Australia Britain and New Zealand fought alongside Greeks against the first airborne invasion in history. We also remember the outstanding courage, and compassion of men, and women of Crete who selflessly risked cruel reprisals to provide shelter and care for many stranded allied servicemen. Strong and enduring bonds of friendship respect and affection were forged between Cretans and Australian peoples during those desperate times. I am sending a message of gratitude to all the heroes who traveled to Crete to fight along side our ancestors and help to preserve the integrity and liberty of people of Crete. We owe them more than can ever be repaid. Thanks to them now we live in freedom and democracy. This will never be forgotten and will continue helping to safeguard for future generations the memory of Battle of Crete. President Johnathon Kaponikolos 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Youth of New South Wales The Battle of Crete took place between the 20th of May and the 1st of June, 1941. A courageous and horrific battle, it is often acknowledged as a turning point of WW2. With the support of the patriotic civilians, the Germans were surprised and suffered heavy losses. Hitler subsequently forbade any more widespread invasions by means of paratroopers. Crete had become “the graveyard of the German paratroopers” and it’s memory would never leave the minds of the Nazis. Although ultimately the Battle resulted in a German victory, the Battle of Crete is a great testament to the courage, patriotism and loyalty that Cretans have for their island. The battle also bears significance to my family with a distant uncle, Stratis Saviolakis, playing a special role. Stratis joined the abduction team that would take General Kriepe by submarine from Crete to Egypt as a prisoner of war. It is said that Stratis was the one who kept his Cretan dagger pinched under the general’s throat to silence him. This, as well as the other thousands of stories by Cretans around the world bears witness to the great zeal and passion of the Cretan people. President Terry Saviolakis Cretan Youth Association of QLD I am half Cretan from my mother’s side, she was born there. Meaning that my whole family on my mother’s side lives in Crete. Being able to continue Cretan culture and traditions through Dance and music makes me feel a closer connection to Crete despite the distance of living so far away. Crete has a rich history in which I am proud of, this is carried through in being a part of The Cretan Association of QLD. With our annual performances at the battle of Crete, Paniyiri and the national Crete Convention which has definitely been an amazing experience and a lot of fun. This year I was able to attend my first National Convention, which was an unforgettable experience, meeting and dancing with other Australian Cretans. I hope to continue with dancing and participating in all the events in which we do. Katerina Symons 33 34 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete World Council of Cretans (8th - 10th August 2014) Day: Date: Friday 8th August 2014 Event • World Council of Cretans Board Meeting at the Region of Crete Headquarters. • Visit to the Archbishop of Crete Irinaios. • Meeting with the Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis. • Closed Forum with the Executive Creative Director of Google, Cretan Born Steve Vranakis at the University of Crete in Iraklio. • Visit to the birthplace of El Greco “Dominikos Theotokopoulos” at Fodele Iraklio and a Function hosted by the Mayor of Gazi. Saturday 9th August 2014 • Visit to the Mayor of Rethymno. • Open Meeting with all the Cretan Organisations around the globe at the Spiti tou Politimsou in Rethymno. • Official launch of the Cretan Wedding CD titled “H ωρα η καλη” a project of the World Council. • Traditional Cretan Music and Dance Concert at Fortzetza Theatre in Rethymno. • Dinner and Glendi hosted by the outgoing W.C.C. President. Sunday 10th August 2014 • Doxology and Church Service at the Holy Monastery of ARKADI. • Media Launch of the 150 Years of the Holocaust of the Arkadi for 2016. • World Council of Cretans Annual General Meeting - Elections. • Dinner and Glendi hosted by the newly elected W.C.C. President. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand 35th National Convention - Wellington, NZ (8th - 12th January 2015) Day: Date: Thursday 8th January 2015 • Arrival of Delegates 9th January 2015 • CFANZ – Annual General Meeting Friday Event • CFANZ Youth Function Lunch • CYANZ Annual General Meeting • Welcome Cocktail Reception Saturday 10th January 2015 • CFANZ – Annual General Meeting • Day tour for Non-Delegates Lunch • Formal Dinner Dance Sunday 11th January 2015 • Church Service • CYANZ – Sports Carnival • BBQ Monday 12th January 2015 • Convention Day Trip 35 36 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 73rd Anniversary of the ANZAC Battle of Crete 23rd May – 28th May 2014 New South Wales Day: Date: Friday 16th May 2014 • 8.00pm - Airport reception on arrival at Airport Reception Room - Mascot. Event Saturday 17th May 2014 • 11.00am - Visit Archdiocese - Archdiocese Redfern. • 1.00pm - 3.00pm - Battle of Crete Annual Ceremony Official Ceremony with speeches and wreath laying attended by politicians and military representatives Martin Place Cenotaph - Sydney. • 6.30pm - 12.00pm - Battle of Crete Annual Ball with live Cretan music, dance performance and speeches attended by politicians and military representatives Emporium Function Centre Bankstown. Sunday 18th May 2014 • 11.00am - 1.00pm - Anglican Church Service Church service in English to commemorate the fallen of the Battle of Crete followed by a reception at the church hall Garrison Church – Millers Point. • Afternoon - Harbour Cruise - Sydney Harbour. • Evening - Ceremony to honour veterans in conjunction with Greek RSL Sub-Branch Monday 19th May 2014 • 9.00am - 2.00pm - Visit 3 Greek Orthodox Schools in Sydney Kingsford, Belmore & Bankstown. • 5.00pm - Depart for Wellington. New Zealand Day: Date: Event Monday 19th May 2014 • 8.00pm - Official Delegation of the Hellenic Armed Forces arrive in NZ from Australia. Tuesday 20th May 2014 • Cretan Association Commemorative night for the 73rd Anniversary for the Battle of Crete. Wednesday 21st May 2014 • NZ Program. Australian Capital Territory Day: Date: Wednesday 21st May 2014 Thursday Friday Event • Greeting at airport. Take guests to their hotel. 22nd May 2014 • AM - Meetings with Australian Government / Military counterparts (DVA Program). • 12:00pm - Wreath Laying Ceremony - Australian Hellenic Memorial (ANZAC Parade). • 13:15pm - Speech by the Lieutenant at ADFA. • 13:45pm - War Memorial Tour. • 15:00pm - Free Time. • 19:00pm - Dinner hosted by the Cretan Association of Canberra (Hellenic Club of Canberra). 23rd May 2014 • AM - Meeting with • PM - Depart to Melbourne. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 37 73rd Anniversary of the ANZAC Battle of Crete 23rd May – 28th May 2014 Victoria Day: Date: Event Friday 23rd May 2014 • 4.00pm - Arrival in Melbourne from Canberra of representatives of the Hellenic Armed Forces including Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Petkos (Hellenic Airforce) and his wife Erifilli Metalidou as well as Colonel Athanasios Zafiropoulos (Hellenic Airforce). To be greeted by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Mrs. Christina Simantirakis and the Presidents of the Cretan Organisations of Melbourne. • 7.00pm - Official Book Launch of THE BATTLE OF CRETE “The Untold Stories” by Historian Dr. Peter Ewer at ANZAC HOUSE, 4 Collins Street, MELBOURNE in the presence of our Australian Veterans and their families, as well as the representatives of the Hellenic Armed Forces. • 9.00pm - Dinner in honour of the Delegation of the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Cretan Organisations hosted by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Mrs. Christina Simantiraki. Saturday 24th May 2014 • 11.00am - Official Visit and School Ceremony at the Saturday Morning Greek Schools of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, situated at St. Gregories Primary School at 396 Manningham Road, Doncaster. • 1.00pm - Luncheon in honour of the Delegation of the Hellenic Armed Forces hosted by the President of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand Mr. Michael Houdalakis. • 7.30pm - Official Dinner Dance to Celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Crete under the auspices of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand and in honour of our Veterans in the Ballroom of the Cretan Village which is situated at 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South. Musician from Crete Giorgos Xylouris and his Band will entertain us as well as Dance performances from the Pancretan & Cretan Brotherhood Dance Groups. Sunday 25th May 2014 • 10.30am - Doxology & Church Service at the St. Efstathios Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese situation at 221 Dorcas Street South Melbourne • 12.00pm - Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance, with the participation of the Hellenic & Australian Armed Forces, local groups,community organisations, Australian schools and more importantly the Australian Veteran Associations. • 1.45pm - Visit to the Olive Tree planted in the Gardens of the Shrine of Remembrance • 2.00pm - Ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in the Domain Gardens hosted by the Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation. • 3.30pm - Luncheon hosted by the Cretan Brotherhood and the Pancretan Association at the Cretan Centre, situated at 148-150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick Monday 26th May 2014 • 9.00am - Official Visit to Parliament House hosted by the Friends of Greece-Victoria Parliamentary Committee in the presence of the President of the Legislative Council. • 11.00am - Official Visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese with Bishops Dervis IEZEKIHL and Militoupoleos IAKOVOS. • 1.00pm - Luncheon in honour of the Delegation of the Hellenic Armed Forces hosted by the President of the World Council of Cretans Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis. • 4.00pm - Visit to the Victorian Army Barracks and meeting with Australian Defence Personnel. • 9.25pm - Departure from Melbourne to Athens of representatives of the Hellenic Armed Forces including Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Petkos (Hellenic Airforce) and his wife Erifilli Metalidou as well as Colonel Athanasios Zafiropoulos (Hellenic Airforce). 38 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Emmanuel Kaloutsakis, Milton Stamatakos, Joseph Kanakis, Andreas Fliatouras, Kyriakos Herekakis, Nectarios Vounakis, George Shinas Bottom Row (Left to Right): Maggie Theodorakis, Harry Heretakis, Helen Matsamakis, Jim Papadimitriou (President), Michael Houdalakis (Vice President), Eva Gotsis (Secretary), Joseph Manatakis, Elia Andriotis (Treasurer) Absent: Stav Digenakis, Jonathon Kapanikolos, James Klados, Chris Polentas, Theano Zoumis Committe Members Top Row (Left to Right): Toula Heretakis, Androniki Herekakis, Maria Papa, Helen Digenakis, Flora Markogiannkis, Maria Kostandakakis Bottom Row (Left to Right): Adamantia Lantzakis, Emmanuel Heretakis, Emmanuel Herekakis, Evangelos Markogiannkis, Eleftherios Kostandakakis Long Standing Members 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 39 Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Left to Right: Argyro Mylonakis, Toula Heretakis (Trasurer), Maria Economou, Maria Papa (President), Androniki Herekakis, Helen Digenakis (Vice President), Maria Manatakis, Stephanie Papadimitriou, Eleftheria Papagiannkis, Toula Ieronymakis, Toula Fountoulakis, Aliki Dimotakis, Maria Katzourakis (Secretary) Ladies Committe Left to Right: Toula Fountoulakis, Aliki Dimotakis, Maria Katzourakis (Secretary) Ladies Committe 40 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Left to Right: Jonathon Kapanikolos, Stathis Kouskoumbekakis, Chris Fanaras, Stelios Theodorakis, Emmanuel Heretakis, James Klados, Sebastian Alexiadis, Konstantinos Tzortzoglou, James Zoumis Senior Dance Group - Boys Left to Right: Kelly Karagiannis, Paige Fanaras, Penelope Koutoulas, Theona Matsamakis, Denise Digenakis, Carli Gotsis, Toni Gellis, Stephanie Ibrahim Senior Dance Group - Girls 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 41 Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Denise Digenakis (Dance Teacher), Dimitri Yannios, Stelios Theodorakis, Theodore Heretakis, George Chaidemenakis, Alex Vounisios, James Matsamakis Bottom Row (Left to Right): Marina Zoumis, Chryssa Yannios, Rhea Gotsis, Andrea Herekakis, Mikaela Papadimitriou, Zoe Nikakis, Vasiliki Koutoulas, Stephanie Houdalakis Intermediate Dance Group Top Row, (Left to Right): Kostas Siolis, John Yannios, Bill Theodorakis, George Tzanidis, Lukas Houdalakis Bottom Row, (Left to Right): Leia Neskakis, Athena Vounisios, Katherine Hatzis, Emmanuela Yiolitis Middle Dance Group 42 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Chris Michaelides, Jonathon Kapanikolos (President), James Zoumis Vice President), Emmanuel Mihelakis, Chris Fanaras Bottom Row (Left to Right): Theona Matsamakis, Toni Gellis (Treasurer), Stephanie Ibrahim, Emmanuel Heretakis (Secretary) Absent: Paige Fanaras Youth Committee Left to Right: Nicholas Houdalakis, Adreanna Koutoulas, Stamati Stamatakos, Terrence Mavropoulos, Victoria Liodakis Absent: James Filippakis, Michael Siolis, Valente Mavropoulos, Emmanuel Filippakis, Andrew Liodakis, Jana Stamatakos, George Liodakis, Terry Filippakis Junior Dance Group 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 43 Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Victoria Κρητική Αδελφότητα Μελβούρνης Βικτωρίας 148 - 150 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, VIC. 3057 Telephone: (03) 9380 6337 Fax: (03) 9380 6015 Mobile: 0411 224 532 Email: [email protected] Left to Right: Stavros Digenakis, Denise Digenakis (Head Instructor), Kelly Karagiannis, Stathis Kouskoumbekakis Absent: Evie Armenopoulos, Nectar Vounakis Dance Instructors Left to Right: Mr George Dermanakis, Mr Emmanuel Herekakis, Mrs Maria Katzourakis, Mrs Niki Petrakis, Mrs Aliki Dimotakis, Mr Emmanuel Lilimbakis (President), Mr Ioannis Pantelidis Crouching: Mr Kostas Sergakis Elderly Members Club Committee 44 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Pancretan Association of Melbourne Παγκρήτια Ένωση Μελβούρνης Office: Cretan Village, 90 Cathies Lane Wantirna South Vic 3152 Telephone: (03) 9800 0148 Fax : (03) 9800 0142 Mobile : 0413 440 033 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pancretan.com.au Καθιστοί από αριστερά: Δημήτρης Κουριδάκης, Μανώλης Σταράκης, Μανώλης Μπινάκης, Μιχάλης Φραντζεσκάκης (Υπεύθυνος Αθλητικού Τμήματος), Γιάννης Ρεράκης (Α’ Αντιπρόεδρος), Γιάννης Νικολακάκης ( Πρόεδρος ), Αργυρώ Μιχελάκης (Γραμματέας), Μανώλης Λεοντάκης, Δημήτρης Παπαδημητράκης (Β’ Αντιπρόεδρος), Γιάννης Κοντεκάκης (Δημοσίων Σχέσεων), Βαγγέλης Μπαδογιάννης Όρθιοι από αριστερά: Μιχάλης Καραμίτος (Β’ Ταμίας), Άννα Ψαράκη (Β’ Γραμματέας), Μαρία Βασιλάκη (Υπεύθυνη Νεολαίας), Κόδρος Σαλούστρος, Μαρία Ρισσάκη (Ταμίας), Αντώνης Τσουρδαλάκης (Δημοσίων Σχέσεων), Μενέλαος Πατεράκης Απουσιάζει: Ευτυχία Ψαράκη Committe Members Καθιστές από αριστερά: Βασιλική Κουκουβιτάκη, Άννα Κουριδάκη, Ζίνα Αξαρλή (Πρόεδρος) Όρθιες από αριστερά: Άννα Καστρινάκη, Πολύμνια Νικολακάκη Κασσιανή Κοντουδάκη, Καλλιόπη Λεοντάκη, κα. Παπιδάκη, Ελένη Πατεράκη, Ευτυχία Πατεράκη Womens Auxilary Committee 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 45 Pancretan Association of Melbourne Παγκρήτια Ένωση Μελβούρνης Office: Cretan Village, 90 Cathies Lane Wantirna South Vic 3152 Telephone: (03) 9800 0148 Fax : (03) 9800 0142 Mobile : 0413 440 033 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pancretan.com.au Καθιστές από αριστερά: Γεωργία Πατεράκη (Αντιπρόεδρος), Πολυξένη Σαγιαδέλλη (Πρόεδρος), Καλλιόπη Κιρκιμπολάκη (Δημοσίων Σχέσεων) Όρθιοι από αριστερά: Γιώργος Ιμπραχίμι-Ρεράκης, Σήφης Μαράκης, Νίκολα Ροζάκη (Γραμματέας), Γιάννης Ρεράκης (Ταμίας) Youth Committee Πρώτη σειρά από αριστερά: Μανώλης Μπινάκης (Χοροδιδάσκαλος), Γιάννης Ρεράκης, Γιώργος Ιμπραχιμί-Ρεράκης, Σήφης Μαράκης, Κωνσταντίνος Παναγόπουλος Πίσω σειρά από αριστερά: Μαρία Βασιλάκη, Νίκολα Ροζάκη, Απολονία Ξυλούρη, Πολυξένη Σαγιαδέλλη, Στέφανος Λεβογιάννης, Ευτυχία Ψαράκη, Κυριακή Ροζάκη, Καλλιόπη Κιρκιμπολάκη, Χαράλαμπος Μπινάκης, Έλενα Φραντζεσκάκη, Γεωργία Πατεράκη, Παναγιώτα Ξανθός Senior Dance Group 46 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Pancretan Association of Melbourne Παγκρήτια Ένωση Μελβούρνης Office: Cretan Village, 90 Cathies Lane Wantirna South Vic 3152 Telephone: (03) 9800 0148 Fax : (03) 9800 0142 Mobile : 0413 440 033 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pancretan.com.au Πρώτη σειρά από αριστερά: Στέλιος Ζώης, Σπύρος Θωμάς, Αντώνης Μπουσούνης, Νίκος Ζώης, Ανδρέας Ζώης Δεύτερη σειρά από αριστερά: Γεωργία Χερετάκη, Βασιλική Κουκουβιτάκη, Άννα Τσουρδαλάκη, Βασιλική Καραμίτο, Αθηνά Κοκκινάκη, Αλεξία Χερετάκη, Ευαγελία Σταράκη Τρίτη σειρά από αριστερά: Γιώργος Κοκκινάκης, Νατάσα Σταράκη, Στέλιος Κουκουβιτάκης Junior Dance Group ‘Ορθιοι από αριστερά: Νίκος Μαρκογιαννάκης, Κώστας Πατεράκης, Θωμάς Βάλτας, Σήφης Τσουρδαλάκης, Ζαχαρίας Ανδρουλιδάκης, Τιμόθεος Ντάκης, Χρήστος Πυργολιός, Νίκος Κουκουβιτάκης, Γιάννης Τρακάκης, Μιχάλης Καραμίτος (Προπονητής) Καθιστοί από αριστερά: Γιάννης Κανεσούλης, Γιάννης Ζουμής, Δημήτρης Πατεράκης, Στέλιος Φερεντίνος, Γιώργος Μιχαιλίδης, Δημήτρης Μενελάου, Σταύρος Λαζαρίζης, Γιάννης Παπαδημητρίου, Γιώργος Ψυχουντάκης (Καπετάνιος) Pancretan ‘Veterans’ Soccer Team 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 47 Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Κρητική Αδελφότητα Σύδνεη 1 / 57 Sydenham Road, Marrickville NSW 2204 Fax: (02) 9556 3324 Mobile: 0439 665 011 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Andrew Parliaros, Angelo Goutzios, Con Grafanakis, Tina Parliaros, Makrina Parasiris Bottom Row (Left to Right): Nella Saviolakis, Eleni Tzagarakis, Maria Lagoudakis, Sophie Saviolakis, Nick Janes Absent: Joanna Spanoudakis Committe Members Left to Right: Kosta Parasiris, Paul Lazos, George Vardakis, Steven Lazos, Spira Anogianakis, Natasha Parasiris, Terry Saviolakis Youth Committe 48 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Κρητική Αδελφότητα Σύδνεη 1 / 57 Sydenham Road, Marrickville NSW 2204 Fax: (02) 9556 3324 Mobile: 0439 665 011 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Natasha Parasiris, Maria Spanoudakis, Josephine Petrakis, Felicia Janes, Catherine Petrakis, Eleni Tzagarakis (Teacher) Bottom Row (Left to Right): Terry Saviolakis, George Vardakis, Billy Kalergis, Christopher Parasiris, Paul Lazos, Seven Lazos Absent: Spira Anogianakis, Elena Assargiotis, Stephanie Janes Fountoulakis, George Parras, George Tzanidis Senior Dance Group Back Row (Left to Right): Kosta Parasiris, Paul Mandadakis, Manny Saviolakis, Andrea Nicholson Middle Row (Left to Right): Hara Lavdiotis, Alexandra Janes, Georgina Mandadakis, Kerrie Vardakis, Zoe Janes Front Row (Left to Right): George Kalergis, Socrati Kalergis Absent: Mano Tzirtzilakis, George Giakoumakis, Vayia Spanoudakis, Ari Paraskakis, George Intermediate Dance Group 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 49 Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Κρητική Αδελφότητα Σύδνεη 1 / 57 Sydenham Road, Marrickville NSW 2204 Fax: (02) 9556 3324 Mobile: 0439 665 011 Email: [email protected] Top Row (Left to Right): Christopher Townsend, Anthony Tzirtzilakis, Billy Tzirtzilakis, Nicolas Townsend Bottom Row (Left to Right): Sophia Townsend, Kali Maladakis, Eleni Janes, Maria Richards Absent: Iliana Kougias, Kosta Fradelakis, Ellie, Erin Stavroulakis, Nicholas Damoulakis, Dimitri Damoulakis Fountoulakis, George Parras, George Tzanidis Beginners Dance Group Top Row (Left to Right): Christopher Townsend, Anthony Tzirtzilakis, Billy Tzirtzilakis, Nicolas Townsend Bottom Row (Left to Right): Sophia Townsend, Kali Maladakis, Eleni Janes, Maria Richards Absent: Iliana Kougias, Kosta Fradelakis, Ellie, Erin Stavroulakis, Nicholas Damoulakis, Dimitri Damoulakis Small Dance Group 50 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of QLD Κρητική Αδελφότητα Κουηνσλάνδης P.O. Box 5217, West End, QLD. 4101 Telephone: (07) 3228 4162 Fax: (07) 3228 4538 Mobile: 0418 980 310 Email: [email protected] President: Michael Arvanitagis Treasurer: Hercules Kasseleakis Secretary: Elizabeth Georgiou Committee: Miron Katsanevas, Anthony Katsanevas, Joseph Panagiotakis, Vasilis Hatzioannou, Michael Hatzifotis, Stamatiki Londy (Public Relations For Federation Youth Committee), Marina Londy Committe Members Senior Dance Group 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 51 Cretan Association of QLD Κρητική Αδελφότητα Κουηνσλάνδης P.O. Box 5217, West End, QLD. 4101 Telephone: (07) 3228 4162 Fax: (07) 3228 4538 Mobile: 0418 980 310 Email: [email protected] Intermediate Dance Group Cretan Association of Tasmania Κρητική Αδελφότητα Τασμάνιας 54 Lipcombe Avenue, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7005 Telephone: (03) 6225 4891 Mobile: 0419 575 441 Email: [email protected] Back Row (Left to Right): Stavros Kalogeropoulos, Alex Tsakirakis, Petro Anagnostis, Manoli Mellas, Christos Klonaris, Nicko Mellas, Adonis Pavlidis, Harrison Ross, Manoli Klonaris, Andreas Kalogeropoulos row Row 2 (Left to Right): Eva Polikretis, Eleni Marakis, Katina McMaster, Pia Dobie, Dominique Pavlidis, Alexia Skalkos, Ava Anagnostis Row 3 (Left to Right): Eleni Anagnostis, Zoe Cowles, Natalia Polikretis, Georgia Ross, Nikolet Spiliopoulos, Theodora Klonaris, Francesca Tsakirakis, Marika Castrisios (dance instructor) Front Row (Left to Right): Georgia Nikitaras, Philip Cowles, Christina Martinez, Ruby Payenda, Nikoletta Exarhakos, Alexandra Dellas, Elianna Diafokeris, Zoe Argyropoulos Senior & Junior Dance Group 52 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of WA Κρητική Αδελφότητα Δυτικής Αυστραλίας 39 Paperbark Way Morley, WA 6062 Mobile: 0413 629 541 President: Manoli Yeroyianakis Email: [email protected] President Manoli Yeroyianakis laying a wreath for the Battle of Crete Commemorations Western Australian Greek Schools Celebrating the Battle of Crete Commemorations. 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of WA Κρητική Αδελφότητα Δυτικής Αυστραλίας 39 Paperbark Way Morley, WA 6062 Mobile: 0413 629 541 President: Manoli Yeroyianakis Email: [email protected] Western Australian Greek Schools Celebrating the Battle of Crete Commemorations. Western Australian Greek Schools Celebrating the Battle of Crete Commemorations. 53 54 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete Cretan Association of SA Κρητική Αδελφότητα Νότιου Αυστραλίας 220 Port Road, Alberton, S.A. 5014 Telephone: (08) 8276 9237 Email: [email protected] Left to Right: Stamatis Borakis, Alexia Stavroulaki, Kathy Fridakis, Haralambos Fridakis, Pantelis Fridakis, Lambros Kollis, Kaitie Kollis, Petros Papachronopoulos, Filio Maragos. Committe Members Cretan Association of Canberra Κρητική Αδελφότητα Καμπέρρας 220 Port Road, Alberton, S.A. 5014 Mobile: 0419 899 964 Email: [email protected] Left to Right: Tony Katheklakis, Nick Sfyrakis (Vice President), George Paterakis (President), George Katheklakis Absent: Jim Katheklakis, Manolis Xenidakis Committe Members 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete 55 Xylouris Giorgos Xylouris (Greek: Γιώργoς Ξυλούρης, born 1965), also known as Psarogiorgis, is a Cretan lute player and singer. Ensemble recently expanded to include a younger generation of players, including Psarogiorgis’ sons Nikos and Adonis Xylouris, who are based in Melbourne. Xylouris was born into a musical family (his father is Psarantonis (Antonis Xylouris) and his uncle is Nikos Xylouris) and grew up in Anogeia, a mountain village in Crete with a rich musical culture. Xylouris started playing the Cretan lute at an early age, guided by his uncle Psarogiannis. From eleven years old he would accompany his father at village functions, and participate in recordings. Giorgos lived for eight years in Melbourne, Australia, where he formed the Xylouris Ensemble. Two of the Xylouris Ensemble’s albums, Antipodes (1998) and Drakos (1999), were nominated for the ARIA Fine Arts Awards in Australia. The Xylouris Xylouris plays the lute as a solo instrument, in contrast to the traditional accompaniment role the lute has in Cretan music. Normally in an ensemble the laouto provides the rhythmic backing to the lyra, which is par excellence a singer’s instrument. In this role Giorgos is peerless. In the less usual role of lead instrument he has made the laouto a melodic instrument to frame and adorn song. Xylouris has performed extensively both in his native Crete, in his second home Australia, and internationally at world music festivals, collaborating with musicians from both folk and rock traditions. 74 73rd Anniversary Of The Battle Of Crete «Πότε θα κάμει ξαστεριά» Πότε θα κάμει ξαστεριά, πότε θα φλεβαρίσει, να πάρω το ντουφέκι μου, την έμορφη πατρόνα, να κατεβώ στον Ομαλό, στη στράτα του Μουσούρου, να κάμω μάνες δίχως γιους, γυναίκες δίχως άντρες, να κάμω και μωρά παιδιά, να κλαιν’ δίχως μανάδες, να κλαιν’ τη νύχτα για νερό, και την αυγή για γάλα, και τ’ αποδιαφωτίσματα τη δόλια τους τη μάνα... “Παραδοσιακό”
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