The Battle of Crete Remembrance 2008 - Souda Bay Crete

The commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The wreath laying was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Souda Bay in Crete on 24th May 2008. Representatives included His Excellency Mr Simon Gass British Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Laurie Marks New Zealand Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Jeremy Newman Australian Ambassador, Mr Petrus Viljoen Councillor for The South African embassy, Mr Jim Miller War veteran, Marina Myles, Mr Douglas West War Veteran, Mr Alf Smithrad War Veteran from The Royal Chelsea Hospital, military leaders. 30 Sqn RAF Lyneham , 33 Sqn RAF, Veterans from the Royal Marines, Veterans from the Crete Veterans and Friends Society, Uniformed Officers from the British and Greek armed forces, members of the Cretan International Community, and others too numerous to mention.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Souda
• Suda
• bay
• battle
• Crete
• Kriti
• war
• grave
• marines
• soldier
• airmen
• 30
• Sqn
• RAF
• New
• Zealand
• Australia
• Greece
• Hania

[englishmaiden1]

I am so proud to watch this video as i watch my father lay a wreath on behalf of the Royal Marines . love u dad xx

[livingincrete]

Comments like this make the effort worthwhile - glad you saw him. Thanks

[pitsinokaki]

Ξέχασα να ευχαριστήσω για το βίντεο, πολύ καλό...

[livingincrete]

Thank You - Σας ευχαριστώ

[livingincrete]

The service and wreath laying ceremonies lasted about one hour. This short video diary of the event, cannot do full justice to those who attended on behalf of many organisations; we can only apologise to all the ambassadors and servicemen etc. who placed wreaths but were not included in this video.

[gorgie36]

I am from australia and i'm very proud to say that my grandfather also australian fought in the battle for crete.He was captured on the 01/06/1941,and became a prisoner of war four 4 years.He was held in stalog 18A until the wars end and spent a further year in hospital until he was fit enough to return home.His name was William Henry Johnstone Service number NX23601.He was the 16th brigade part of the 2/1st battalion australian army.Love ya pop .

[dobbadobdob]

My father was a medical orderly during the battle as a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Like so many others he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. I don't think the events of May 1941 ever really left him but he kept them close and private. He would have been moved to see his companions honoured and remembered. May they all find peace.

[MrYiogikus]

Greeks never forget the Heroes ! Heroes have no land but Land has heroes...

[ariadni15077]

@catman4444

Actually we do have a national celebration for 2nd world war. We honor the fighters and the deads and we never forget. The battle of Crete is mostly known to the rest of the world because of the number of foreign troops that fought and died in that land. Of course it was of a huge importance but this does not mean that the Greek government should only recognise this sacrifice. The whole Greek nation faught against the Germans even though their stories never came to light.

[catman4444]

thanks for that great video guys. i cant understand why the greek government doesnt want to accept the battle of crete as a national celebration

[FallschirmjagerElite]

Rest in peace, good to see these men remembered.

[karchev23]

WHy grandfather Served In the Greek and Crete campaigns, Was Captured after Crete fell.

[specialparadise]

God bless your Country! This may be a history anymore for most of the people but not for us! Greeks never forget its brothers and friends!

[specialparadise]

Tell him please how proud we are for him!!! God bless him and your family! God bless the entire UK! We don't forget you! My grandfather turing 99 a healthy person and he probably was fighting next to your father.

[43Heavy]

Respect to all the ''old'' men who served, get wounded or died on KPHTH or in the waters around the island.. But also respect to them who survived the hell of war and got back via the push-back through the Askifou valley, Imbros Gorge and finally find a ship to Egypt via Hora Sfakion. 5000 were left beind...