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Captain P.J. Sadler
VX15706
H.Q.1 Aust. Corps I hope you can read this section. [Written in pencil on very poor paper.]
29th April 1941

My Beloved,
This will be posted when I eventually reach some place of comparative safety. At present I am lying under an olive tree in the hills of Crete waiting, along with thousands of others, the pleasure of the Navy to take us on to Egypt. At the moment I have little to worry about except you and I admit I have been much concerned because I feel you probably know all the wrong things about our withdrawal and until such times as I am able to get a message to you, you will probably be worrying about my safety. So far I am still whole, but I have lost every damned thing I took to Greece except what I stand up in. In my pockets I still have my camera, my negs of Greece and my fountain pen all tied in a waterproof bag in case we have to go over the side sometime. I have lost my travelling case you gave me, my writing case, my best uniform, all my clothes [Except what I left in my trunk in Alex] In fact everything I possessed which gave any comfort .I landed here with a steel helmet, a revolver, a cap, a greatcoat and a much worn dirty uniform. Of course it has its compensations. For instance to go to bed all one has to do is lie down under an olive tree, remove one’s cap and so sleep.

Such were the conditions under which we {Bob and I] have existed for the last 6 days. Fortunately we managed to get a blanket each yesterday and so slept a little warmer last night. ---- We moved from the forward areas at less than half an hours notice and for hours we drove along being attacked by bombers and low flying aircraft machine gunning the roads. By the grace of God we made the journey with out loss or hurt to anyone on our truck and for 48 hours we hid in a pine forest above a southern beach of Greece while the Hun plastered the Hell out of anything that moved. On the 3rd evening at dark we moved. 1500 of us were loaded onto anything that would carry men and rushed through the pitch black night another 40 miles to another beach where we were taken off at 3 AM. Loaded onto numerous naval units and at 3.30 started off southeast. When we got aboard we were diddled absolutely, but the good old navy came good with hot soup, hot coffee, real bread and butter AND a hot bath.
. We partook of all these and then spent over an hour trying to find somewhere to sleep. The ship was crawling with troops. A count showed 5,240 [apart from the crew] on a 10,000 ton ship. Of course we moved in convoy, thank heaven. During the morning the Hun attacked us from the air on two occasions, without any success. The ships gunners shot down two dive bombers.

May 6th 1941
Still on Crete. Since the last page I’ve not been able to obtain any paper until today. This was given me by a tommy gunner I met this morning. During the last day I have suffered two bitter disappointments, the first when we were loaded onto some drifters and taken down the harbour to be loaded onto destroyers to Egypt only to have the destroyers suddenly up anchor and off just as we got along side. They had received an urgent call to rescue someone else so we had to wait. Two days later a party were taken off which included Bob and the rest of my particular friends but it was necessary for a senior of our show to stay and I was ordered to remain; so here I am still living under an olive tree stinking to high heaven as it is now at least 3 weeks since I changed anything other than my socks. I can’t buy, borrow or steal any underwear round here and if I wash what I have I stand a chance of freezing in the night should they not be dry by sun-set. So I stink, my hair has not been cut for 6 weeks and so is a sight to behold. I’m sure you would love its glorious waves, which extend to below my tunic collar. I will either have to cut it with a knife or buy a violin to justify its condition. To say the least of it life is crude but comparatively enjoyable. Food is good and thanks to the Navy is plentiful. Our olive grove is right beside the harbour of Suda Bay where there are a number of ships of sorts.
Almost everyday our playful friends the Hun sends over 10 or 12 planes to bomb the place and almost everyday we have the satisfaction of seeing 3 or 4 of them shot down by the Anti- aircraft guns or the Hurricanes. At such time I am prone to stand and cheer like Hell to see these blighters getting a little of their own medicine.
In Greece of course we lacked the number of aircraft we required so simply had to watch flights ranging in number from 30 to 60 planes just flying unimpeded backwards and forwards in perfect formation plastering Hell out of anything they wanted to. The first time I was really bombed, that is the first time I had them land all around me, I was in a slit trench in a little Grecian village the raid only lasted about 10 minutes [it seemed like 10 hours] and over 300 screamers were dropped; Gee it made a mess but funnily enough no one was hurt. That often happens. He seems to do more damage to troops when he comes down really low and turns his machine guns on, but when he does that the boys very often shoot him down with rifle and light machine guns. From the air though he certainly had the advantage in Greece and so made life a little too interesting to be enjoyable.
My worst complaint about Greece though was the lack of sleep. During the last 5 days of the operation I managed a total of 11 hours. How I did it I don’t know, but I seemed to reach a stage where I could go on forever without sleep. When after 3 days I did lie down I slept for 12 hours without a movement and then felt fit enough for another lot. I also discovered I could last a long time without food. It was not because we had no food, because it was plentiful, but when things are happening one just forgets all about it. I smoked stacks of cigarettes tho and drank tea whenever I saw a cookhouse or mess. Some of us have been here now for 10days and people are still arriving in all sorts of craft. Paddy Gorman turned up a couple of days ago after being given up as lost. In a small fishing boat he bought when he found he was cut off by the Hun.
This morning a party of 30 sailed into the harbour in a ketch they had commandeered, having spent the last 8 days rowing and sailing from island to island. It will be months probably before we know the true story of the evacuation and just how many and who we have lost.
One of our Colonels [a rather fat chap] had an experience when he was captured by parachute troops near the Korinth Canal. He was taken some distance by a German officer until they arrived at a spot where some Germans were doing a lot of firing. The officer went over to speak to the people who were making all the noise and our worthy Colonel just kept on walking for about 20 yards as the German officer had not reappeared the Colonel broke into a run and did not stop until he was exhausted. He was then clear of the Huns. After resting a while he took to the scrub and eventually found his way to an embarkation point. His is only one of the many tales that have been told round here in the past week.
This island is a beautiful spot. In the main it is very hilly and mountainous with many clear and icy streams. At present it is a veritable garden. Wild flowers are growing in wild profusion. I have pressed a number of them and will include them with my letters when opportunity presents its self. When that will be God only knows. We have been on two hours notice to leave here for the past week. My chief concern is to get somewhere from which to send a cable or an airmail letter so as to assure you that I am still on deck. I can’t send anything from here at present.

7th May 1941
Still waiting and still being told by the navy that it may be tomorrow. I wonder. During the last 24 hours three more parties of three each have arrived. Each party with a similar tale of being cut off and being assisted by the Greeks to make good their getaway from some lonely beach while the Huns patrolled the beach by air. They got away by night and hid their boat and themselves by day on the islands and at outlandish places taking 9 or 10 days to cover what we did in a night almost. I learnt last night that three of my own staff were seen on the mainland on the 28th. They may yet turn up. I am hoping and praying that they do, they are all excellent chaps and I’m sure will not give up while there is a hope. One of them is a brother to the Beale sisters who were in our Deb. set- so long ago. Ken Newman occupies an olive tree some 20 yds away from me at the moment and like me is chiefly concerned with getting a message home. We plan to send joint messages as soon as we can. I intend seeking permission to phone you cost no object. With Frank’s aid I might work it. When I do reach some where I am expecting to find up to 15 or 16 letters and perhaps even some parcels. I can do with them as it is now about 4 weeks since I had any at all.

9.30 am 16th May 1941
{Written on paper from Australian Comforts Fund] To continue the tale.

At long last I have reached the same area from which I set out some months ago to go to Libya. Two days ago I set of to send a full rate cable which you should have by now. We have been travelling by sea and land for nearly 6 days and arrived here at 5 am. This morning, just done. My fill of mail in the mess has temporally revived me. 10 letters from you Bless you, 2 from Maisie, one each from Bob, Edgar, my Father and the passport office people. I have read all yours and only then realised how very thirsty I was for a note from you. I opened the others and read the signatures only. They will keep.

17th May 41
Having written the above I fell asleep and only woke in time for dinner at 6.30. Gee I was tired. So to go on with the yarn.
After spending some 12 or 14 days on Crete just living under an olive tree we at last got word to move, from the Navy; so with light hearts we set out for the harbour. Imagine our consternation when we saw the 1,000 ton, 8 knot Greek cargo vessel that was to be our home for 3 days. It was to be home to 850 of us. The first sniff I got from 50 yards off nearly flattened me. It really stank to high heaven. Anyway it was a ship that was going our way. That was the only thing to commend it.
I will not dwell too much on that ship. It was just a Hell ship. Filthy, hot, little or no ventilation, very little water, [only enough for 1 cup of tea per man per day and none for washing or shaving] had been used to carry coal and never been swept out with the result that everyone was jet black from top to toe when we arrived in Egypt. Owing to the limited deck space it was necessary to allow only a limited number of troops on deck at a time, which meant that the men only got into the fresh air for 4 hours in every 24. Add to all that the fact that we were side on to a ground swell all the way and you have some idea of the conditions under which the men travelled. Yet I did not hear one complaint. These chaps are absolutely magnificent. We travelled in convoy thank God, and so once again thanks to the good old Navy, we landed in Egypt.

Never as long as I live will I forget our welcome back. I want you to make it known to as many as possible that the Australian Comforts Fund just turned it on for us and God help anyone our lads hear running them down. As we stepped off the gangway each man was given a paper bag which contained a packet of cream filled biscuits, a large cake of chocolate, two oranges, a packet of good English cigarettes and a box of matches. We then filed past a long table where we each received an enormous mug of good hot tea. You just should have heard the troops — I nearly forgot- In the middle of all this the air raid siren went and some anti aircraft guns nearby began shooting. The lads did not turn a hair, just finished their tea and quietly formed up and marched to their train.
We were taken to a camp about an hours run from where we landed where first of all we were given a good old army stew and tinned fruit, as much as we could eat. We formed up again and filed past a line of motor trucks where we each received a kit bag, razor, towel, soap, toothbrush and paste, shaving brush, comb, a set of underwear, a pair of socks, an overcoat [ if required] a shirt, a pair of trousers, a ground sheet, two blankets and an army issue of tobacco and cigarettes; then again the Comforts Fund people came good. Each man got a pair of socks and a pullover or cardigan. I got a beautiful cardigan that some good soul at home had knitted. Gee what a party. The lads were like kids on Xmas morning. Then there was a rush on the showers where the boys just yelled with delight. After all this the Comforts Fund again and every one received a canteen order for 5/- [what money they had was Greek] and at the same time along came the Aust. Canteen service with a number of trucks and a huge tent and in half an hour were open for business. They had all the things the soldier likes, Aussie beer, tinned fruit, chocolates, an assortment of biscuits and Heaven only knows what. Gee what a night it was and all due to the Aust. Comforts Fund. It’s a pity a movie was not made for the people at home, that they might see the result of their sacrifices.
For 36 hours we rested. At 4am. Next morning we entrained again and spent the day simply sweltering as we travelled through a typical Egyptian sand storm. Darkness brought little relief because although the sand dropped it was still very hot and once again we were very filthy. Anyway we arrived here at 5 am. And once more were met with a hot meal and above all our mail and parcels. Apart from my letters I got the Owners [Ethel] tin of shortbreads and a parcel of goodies from the Newmans. Apart from a few that were broken on the way the cakes are simply perfect although they are 5 months old. If only I could tell her how thrilled I was to eat some of her cakes again. The mail and parcels had a very sobering effect on us in our Mess. You see there are still a few bundles of letters on the ledge that have not been collected, and I know somehow that most of us here are praying pretty hard that their owners will soon turn up to read them.- I am pleased to report that Russell Beale and one other of my lads was here before me, but unfortunately two others, whom I thought safe have not yet reported in. I also learned today that Allan Bamford is among the missing, but people are turning up every day still, so we are not believing them lost yet by a long chalk.

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