Speech to Battle of Crete 70th Anniversary Reception

Good afternoon everyone.

It is a privilege to be speaking here today as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

It is great to see so many people gathered here as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

I would like to acknowledge the distinguished guests who are with us today:

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, HE Mr Anthony Mongalo
The Ambassador for Greece, HE Mr Dimitrios Anninos
The Ambassador for Germany HE Mr Thomas F. Meister
Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr Patrick Reilly
Squadron Leader Deborah Phillips, representing the Australian High Commissioner
Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer ONZM
Chief of Army, Major General Tim Keating
Commodore John Martin ONZM, representing Chief of Navy
Group Captain Andrew Clark, representing Chief of Air Force
President RNZRSA, Lieutenant General Don McIver
President of the Cretan Association, Mr George Neonakis
President Greek Association, Mrs Stella Bares and Mr James Bares
Principal Defence Chaplain Donald Parker,
Reverend Father Christodoulos
Reverend Father Konstantinos Tsourapas
And my Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues

I would also like to make special mention of the veterans of this battle who have travelled from as far as Dunedin, Gisborne and Auckland to be here.

Mr Charles Clemett
Mr Alfred Cleghorn
Mr Russell Geeves
Mr Allan Robinson
Mr Dick Hodder
Mr Jim Lydiate
Mr Harry Smith
Mr Howard Holmes
Mr Brant Robinson
Mr Harry Spencer
Mr Matthew Scott
Mr Allan Andersen
Mr Ossie Hansen
Mr Eric Wilson
Mr Charles Watkins
Mr Jim Seymour

It is an honour to have you here today.

I would also like to acknowledge the family members, who have made it possible for those veterans to attend this special occasion.

Today is about paying tribute to those who fought in the Battle of Crete.

They showed courage and tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds.

It is also about honouring the memory of those who did not survive the battle and those who have passed on since.

The details of the Battle of Crete are well-known, and I do not intend to recount them today.

Instead, I would like to focus on the significance of the Battle of Crete for New Zealanders.

The Battle of Crete began on 20 May 1941, when thousands of German paratroopers and glider troops invaded Crete in one of the first-ever airborne assaults.

Defending Crete was an Allied force that included more than 7,700 New Zealanders.

For almost two weeks, an intense battle raged, and the New Zealanders served with distinction during the difficult campaign.

Intense fighting against the Germans saw many acts of bravery and gallantry being performed by our men, many of whom were officially recognised for their efforts.

It was on Crete where Second Lieutenant Charles Upham earned the first of his two Victoria Crosses.

He was not the only New Zealander to earn a Victoria Cross for gallantry on Crete.

Sergeant Alfred Hulme also earned a Victoria Cross for his actions during this battle.

Jim Seymour, who I’m delighted is with us today, was awarded the King’s Medal for his role in helping the King of Greece evacuate Crete.

Some of those men who fought at Crete went on to become some of New Zealand's most decorated soldiers from WWII, including Lt Col Haddon Donald, who, sadly, can not be with us today.

The heroism shown by our men was not without cost.

More than 670 men were killed during the battle, and nearly 1,000 were injured.

During the evacuation, more than 2,100 New Zealanders were captured.

Some of those prisoners of war managed to escape from their captors and evade re-capture due to the assistance of local villagers.

Some of those who were taken prisoner are here with us today.

But the resilience and resourcefulness of the New Zealanders meant that many of those who were captured as prisoners of war managed to escape from their captors.

To prevent re-capture, many relied on the assistance of the local people.

As a nation, New Zealand is indebted to the people of Crete, who provided food and aid to Kiwis who escaped.

They risked their lives to help our men, and it was only with their assistance that nearly 300 New Zealanders were able to escape to Egypt, and more New Zealanders were not killed.

The presence today of members of the Greek and Cretan community in New Zealand allows us to again express our gratitude to the people of Greece and Crete for the risks they took to help our soldiers during and after the battles in Greece and Crete.

Those Kiwis who survived the Battle of Crete went on to fight in further battles.

But the heroism and the sacrifice displayed by the New Zealanders who fought at Crete have ensured that their deeds have retained a special place in our history that will never be forgotten.

To the veterans – thank you for your service, and thank you for honouring us with your attendance today.

It means a great deal to us all to have you here.