On May the 20th 1941, ANZAC, Greek and British forces stood side by side with the heroic population of Crete in the defense of their Southern Mediterranean Island against the elite of Hitler’s war machine. The ensuing battle is etched forever in ANZAC history. Now, 80 years later, veterans and the descendants of these brave soldiers, will join with the local Cretan population to honour their courageous endeavours. Join us in May 2021 and attend the commemorative services, explore the battlefields and share the stories.
To help us understand even more we have accompanying our group Dr Mark Wilson. Mark’s knowledge of the battles and the surrounding events are unequalled. Email g.l.osborne@xtra.co.nz or Phone +64 21731835
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Tue 18 May 2021
Athens
Our pilgrimage starts today in Athens, the capital city of Greece. Please join your fellow travellers this evening on the roof top of our hotel, under the gaze of the Acropolis, for an informal get together and share the opportunity to get to know each other.
Overnight accommodation: Hotel Amalia, Athens
Day 2Wed 19 May 2021
Constitution Square, Faliron Commonwealth War Cemetery, Overnight Ferry
After breakfast please join Mark in the conference room for an informative talk on the Battle of Crete
and hear details of what to expect in the days ahead.
Leaving our hotel, we walk to Constitution Square which has been at the center of Greek political
and military life for centuries. Stopping at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier we pause to see the changing of the guard. You are welcome to lay poppies at the memorial.
Constitution Square is an area known as Plaka which is full of restaurants and shops, an ideal place to spend time and find lunch.
Meeting later in the afternoon we drive to Faliron Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place for 2,028 servicemen of WWII. Of these 596 of the burials are unidentified.
At the cemetery view the Athens Memorial where a further 3,000 names are commemorated. These
fallen came from Greece and Crete in 1941 and 1944 – 1945, the Dodecanese Islands and
Yugoslavia 1943 – 1945. It also hosts the names of those killed on Crete and whose bodies were
never recovered.
Leaving the cemetery, we join together for a typical Greek dinner before boarding our overnight ferry to Crete. A far cry from the harsh conditions experienced by the evacuees, our ferry has comfortable cabins with private facilities and a host of bars, restaurants and entertainment areas.
Overnight accommodation: Ferry cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3
Thu 20 May 2021
Souda Bay, Galatas & Prison Valley
Our early morning arrival into Souda Bay is not to be missed. Relive the feelings and emotions of our soldiers as they entered the harbour 80 years ago after their harrowing time in Greece. Imagine the quiet brooding harbour waters reflecting the burning merchant ships, and the damaged heavy cruiser HMS York beached near the entrance reminding all that death had already visited these historic isles. Was more fighting to come? After disembarking from the ferry, we drive a short distance from the port to the Souda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery for a personal visit and a time of quiet reflection. This immaculately kept cemetery is bordered by hills and trees and is the resting place of 1,527 war dead including 447 Kiwis and 197 Australians.
Leaving Souda Bay we drive to the newly installed memorial at 42nd Street, the site of a spontaneous bayonet attack by ANZAC forces on the 27th of May 1941. The German forces, estimated to number 400, suffered over 280 killed. 10 Australians were killed while the Maori Battalion suffered 14 casualties. We continue on to the Minoa Palace Resort located 12 kilometers west of Chania and our base for the coming days. On arrival we are welcomed and escorted to the breakfast room for a buffet brunch while we wait for our rooms to become available. Following check-in and a chance to freshen up we have another informative presentation in the resorts conference centre before leaving to the little village of Galatas which holds a very special place in the struggle for Crete.
For five days Kiwi soldiers, Greek soldiers and local civilians fought the elite German paratroopers to a standstill in Galatas and here was the scene of a famous charge by the exhausted New Zealanders on 25 May. The main square of the village is still dominated by the historic twin towered church and a memorial. There are signs of the Kiwi’s presence everywhere. A visit to Prison Valley is our next stop before returning and an evening free of activities.
Overnight accommodation: Minoa Palace Resort
Meals Included: Buffet brunch
Day 4Fri 21 May 2021
Rethymnon Australian Memorial Service, Galatas New Zealand Memorial Service
This morning we drive east to visit the battlefields at Rethymnon and the Australian memorial service at Rethymnon. We should never forget the actions fought here. Lt Col I R Campbell lead the Australian 2/1 and 2/11 Battalions and the Greeks in a series of continuous counter attacks that stopped the paratroopers cold. After the memorial service we lunch in Rethymnon (own expense). There are a number of cafes and tavernas serving great coffee and local cuisine. Also visit the many shops and the Venetian harbor dominated by the Fortenzza Fort built 350 years ago.
After lunch we return to our Hotel to freshen up before returning to Galatas to be present at the
New Zealand memorial service in the early evening. Following the service our coach will return back
to the hotel. The evening is free at leisure.
Overnight accommodation: Minoa Palace Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5Sat 22 May 2021
Battlefield Tour, Maleme, Hill I07, Tavronitis River and Souda Bay Commonwealth Memorial Service
After breakfast join together for a presentation on today’s activities. Today we visit the most critical
sector during the battle for Crete – the small airfield at Maleme and Hill 107 where you can appreciate
the commanding views and where the German War cemetery is now located with over 4,000 war
dead. We walk over the original Tavronitis River Bridge that was at the centre of much of the battle.
Breakfast on the 20th May 1941 was interrupted by a sight never before seen in warfare – an invasion conducted entirely from the air.
Sgt Frank Twigg of the 22nd NZ Battalion, described how the sky literally turned black with airplanes, and the ground heaved as the bombs fell. Next the sky was filled with different coloured parachutes, a stunning sight, but Frank knew that today was going to be a serious one.
The reasons why and how the Hill 107 was lost is still debated today – walk around the ground and decide for yourself.
Returning to the hotel there is time to find lunch then later this afternoon we travel back to Souda Bay and the Souda Bay War Cemetery for the main Commonwealth Commemorative Service.
This service, led by the British Legion, is a solemn and fitting occasion to commemorate all those
involved in the defence of Crete.
Overnight accommodation: Minoa Palace Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6Sun 23 May 2021
Excursion to Sfakia, retracing the evacuation route and a combined service at Maleme Airport
By the 27th of May it was clear that the battle was lost and another evacuation by sea was required hence the exhausted Army headed south to the tiny fishing village of Hora Sfakia. Over the next four nights over 16,000 troops were evacuated, but many were left behind. For many who decided to evade capture or later escaped their journey had only just begun. For the next two years the courageous Cretan villagers gave their lives to house and feed our escaped boys. We will never forget their sacrifice.
This is a full day tour that will retrace the route taken by our retreating soldiers over the formidable White Mountains. This epic trek was vivid in the memories of many veterans. Following a brief private service at the memorial at Sfakia, a swim and lunch (own expense) we make our way back to our hotel before driving to Maleme Airfield for a re-enactment of the airborne invasion. The reenactment is on the historic airfield itself and is a combined services portrayal of the events of 20th May 1941.
Tonight, is our last night together so please join us for a special last night dinner in a relaxed
environment and a chance to reflect.
Overnight accommodation: Minoa Palace Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7Mon 24 May 2021
Farewell
After breakfast our pilgrimage ends and we wish everyone a safe onward journey.
