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Stationed at Suna Bay orders were given for all Dominion troops to withdraw to the south of the island due to the imminent invasion of German troops. 700 marines (myself included) were kept for rearguard action under Major Garrett. I was on hill 107 overlooking Malame airfield which we were expected to hold as long as possible. We had only light ammo no air cover as all planes had been needed for the Battle of Britain.

20th May

The sky was black with German Stuka planes they bombed and blasted us, terrifying attack, to have one Stuka screaming overhead was enough, but we had hundreds many young men killed, shattering experience. After the attack, which lasted hours, there was a deathly silence most of the men were traumatised. (There were many Australians, New Zealanders, Greeks there were also Maoris) and shocked if not killed. Suddenly another hum of planes — oh no not again — but they were transport planes and hundreds of German paratroopers were floating in the air. We were picking them off with our rifles — as they were not armed — as they came down. We were doing very well and the officers asked for back up, but those in authority didn’t send any and we had orders to withdraw to Spharkia with the main body thus losing a valuable airfield and our hold on Crete.

Escape from Crete

I recall running through an orchard and seeing a German para badly wounded hanging in a tree, he said something to me I think he wanted help. I said sorry mate your pals are at the back of me they will help you — and the Stukas were back again firing on us all when they saw us. I remember running across open field and a Stuka screaming down the bullets were ping- ping- pinging either side of me (uncanny never hit me I thought just like on the films unbelievable I was terrified.

Then we had to walk 60 miles over mountains for embarkation at Spharkia. Hardly any water, narrow path just bully beef to eat. We walked on and on, up and up, so tired 6,000 men were just lying in the road exhausted could not go on, our shoes were worn out, soles flapping about. We had to leave our wounded, I remember leaving a mate of mine under a bridge by a stream. We did most walking at night as the Stukas were still trying to pick us off in the day. When we reached Spharkia thousands of men were waiting in the bay. The last ship was just leaving, giving priority to married men and the wounded. So there I was stuck here with all the others.

Major Garrett came across a motor landing craft, one of her propellers fouled by wire, determined to get away a party was formed by volunteers, 5 officers 134 all nationalities including 56 marines of which I was one.

We put in at Gautopula a small island 20 miles south of Crete where the wire was cleared. Every receptacle they had was filled with water few cans of corned beef and set off south. After 80 miles the petrol gave out, a jury mast was rigged and made a sail with blankets, which one of the marines secured with spun yarn a mainsail.

The craft had no keel, difficult to steer that relays of six men had to swim alongside and push the head in the right direction. Rations were one third of a pint of water and a cube of beef per day.

Major Garrett his fellow officers and the ingenuity of the Royal Marines — myself included — kept us going for the 8 days we were at sea. Two of the company died on the eighth day.

Finally at 1.30 on June 9th having covered 200 miles we landed near Sidi Barrani. When I got out that craft and waded ashore and the sand was burning my bare feet —as we had no shoes. It was the most wonderful day of my life, I remember it whenever I walk on sand and I also thank God.

A plane flew over and dipped his wings to let us know he had seen us and lorries were sent to pick us up. Safe at last for the time being.

6,500 Germans died
1,700 Dominion and Special forces died
1,800 Navy died

Thousands of troops taken as PoW.

Hitler never again used Airborne troops.

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