Major Henry Charles David Marshall - Wallet 2 - Booklet 9 - Part 2
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their and cut an inch off. We travelled with A Coy acting as
advance Gd just in case we ran into an attack. I remember
being very worried if I was on the right road as we took one
or two short cuts but we finally struggled up a hill into
Vamos where the inhabitants stood outside their houses
with cans and jugs of water and watered us as we passed. All
I could say was "Georgiopolis" until they caught on and we were
led through the town by a short cut through a lane only
wide enough for donkeys and put on a good macadam road
which led straight to where I wanted to go. On the way we had
a couple of alarms from enemy planes and had to go to
cover. By this time most planes were enemy and although
they were not troublesome to us they were active against
shipping and Suda Bay. Still they might have given us some
attention. We made rather good time and shortly before 4 pm
arrived at a high escarpment overlooking the valley of a
creek at the mouth of which stood Geogiopolis. I shall give
you a fuller description later but here let me correct any
wrong impression you may have from its sonorous name.
I do not suppose it consisted of more than twelve buildings
and this particular valley was also the worst malaria
area in Crete and in fact very nearly the world. Just then
it was quite safe as the season had not started. Most of the
villagers actually lived in another village a few kilos away,
but high in the hills. The road wound down the escarpment
and to continue along it meant at least another mile and
a half marching so we emulated the mountain goats and
went down the side and saved time, and energy. I went
to about 400 yards from the bridge across the creek and
dispersed the Bn and then reported to Theo. He was in a
towering rage. because when he arrived one of the men on
the road block was drunk with Krassis and threatened to
shoot him. In fact he was just closing his bolt when he was
overpowered. Theo told me not so long ago that he thought Lunn
who was with him would have shot the man. Incidentally he
was another of our reinforcements and your again proved that they
had no background of training and were all not fit to take
their place in a fighting Bn. He took the Coy Cdrs off on a
reconnaissance of the area which we could not occupy as
the 11th Bn were there already but were leaving next morning
for Retimo. So we occupied a bivouac position overnight
and Theo, Passy OReilly and I slept under a tent fly
which did not seem to have an owner. It was just as
well as it rained heavily during the night. I may as well
describe the place as I saw it. The road we were on crossed the
creek at right angles over a one span reasonably new bridge
On the right another road went off through a marvellous
avenue of tall gum trees about half a mile long to Neon
Kerrion and Suda. The turn to the left took one on
to a long jetty rather dilapidated with a stone building
on the extreme end. This turned out to be a Greek chapel
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which was still used. One boat only was in the creek and as
far as we saw was the only one in the village. Cretan fishermen
do not adopt line methods but go wholesale and dynamite
that is when they do - for the whole time we were there no fish
were offered for sale. Our road continued on over the bridge
into the village square and then out the other side to Retimo
some 15/20 miles further on. The buildings consisted of a Post
Office so indescribably dirty that I did not recognise it as
such - a grain store - a small stationers - two cafes - a
barbers shop and a wine saloon. The school house was a
couple of hundred yards further on. Everything was filthy
and smelt to high heaven. I once poked my head into a small
shed behind the Post Office. I thought it was a donkey or sheep
shed it was so small but it was the only public lavatory I ever
saw in Crete. And I was violently ill immediately. I may have
told you that in the peasant and lower quarters of the towns
in Greece and Crete and in barracks the lavatories consist
of a concrete slab with a hole in it and they squat. And I
imagine they are all rotten shots from the evidence. And they
never clean up. Once a week or maybe twice the inhabitants
gather together and kill a sheep in the open square. Then we
know that all the flies for miles around are at least for
a short time in one spot. There was nothing to sell in any of
the shops. We soon bought all they had and I succeeded in
getting two strings of rather moth eaten onions as my share.
Both in Greece and Crete onions are tied together in strings
and not sold loose as we do. Further on about half a mile
away was a pimple of a hill and on top of this a very tiny
concrete church had been built. It only looked about 10'x12' round.
The creek wound a bit through the short flat plain and just
entered the sea. At no place was it more than 10' wide except
at the bridge 100 yards from the mouth. The troops tried
fishing with hand grenades but I never heard of success
before we had to stop the practice owing to scarcity of ammunition
The whole valley was cultivated either in olive groves or
grain with a few odd patches of vines and the creek banks
were lined with tangled bushes and the edges of the water
with a thick green scum. We could well understand why
this would be an extremely bad natural area. As a
matter of fact mosquito nets were issued and just at
to end of our stay plans were being made to evacuate
our positions at nights and return to the hills reoccupying
them by day. The inhabitants also warned us that
another few days and the position would be extremely
unhealthy. They themselves migrated. Along the
road to be right and just past the end of the pine trees
was another pimply hill which was then occupied by
the 11th and became our Bn Hqrs. The road ran at the
foot of this and this was where we manufactured our
bathing pool of which you have a picture and have
referred to in your letters. The creek seemed to spring
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out of the side of the road and we rearranged some rocks
and cleaned the pool. It was only about 3' across but we
had no hesitation in stripping naked for a bathe. Anyway
there were no inhabitants and particularly women around
Only a few men occasionally who no doubt thought us
mad. As far as I could judge none of the Cretans ever
bathed and only shaved once a week or fortnight. How
the barber made a living I do not know. A little further
across was the remains of an old mill with the water
wheel lying useless but the creek rushing through the
race. The wheel had been made of wood and the gears
made by cutting slots and driving in wooden wedges
to act as the teeth of the cogs. The hills were massive but
some miles away. From the mouth of the creek there was a
gentle shelving beach extending towards Retimo and this
was thought to be a possible sea landing area and our
job to prevent. Most of the coastline of Crete is just high
precipitous cliffs and the beaches are few and far between
I think I might generally talk about Crete itself. From
Georgiopolis we could see Mt Ida still snow capped. This
is the famous home of the Gods in Greek mythology. Crete
appears a number of times in the Bible. Originally it was the
home of the Philistines and called then Caphtor. From
here they migrated to Palestine and Syria and Egypt.
From a reference book I find that Cretan civilisation is
well over 4000 years old and did a lot for the Palestinians
The alphabet also probably originated here and was
developed by the Phoenicians. About 1400 B.C. the power
of Crete was broken and it is only by discoveries and
excavations they have found signs of a civilisation
equal to or better than the Egyptians. Later it became
a province of Rome. The Cretan has always been a
freedom living person and has revolted many times
against his conquerors. The last time was not so long
ago and even now the Cretan is quick to assure you
he is not a Greek although under Greek rule. I should
hate to be fighting against them for they have simple
crude natures and death means nothing to them except
as a means of making it as nasty as possible for their
enemies. I believe but do not know for certain that
Cretan women can be as cruel as Arabs in torture
and nasty methods of killing one. St Paul in making
his journey to Rome sheltered for the winter on the
south side at Fair Havens and was wrecked on the
continuation of his journey. It is all in Acts 27 and
he also left Titus there to establish a church and
wrote to him in the Epistle of Titus giving him his
instructions. He was rather condemnatory in some of
his remarks. It was rather an uncomfortable night on
May 4/5 with rain and lack of gear. Our march from
Kalibes looked humorous with everyone jealously guarding
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and carrying tins of all kinds. To the need comes the value
of anything. On May 5 the 11 Bn marched out early and we
shook out into our positions. As I said Bn Hqrs was on
the hill near the end the gum trees and it was in this area
that the 11 Bn bivouaced. For the sake of peace I have not given
any officers of this Bn my thoughts on the condition they left
this area in but it was almost as filthy as a Cretan
lavatory. It took over a day to effectively clear it. We
spent the day in digging in and it was a long slow job
as few tools were available and they had to be rationed out.
Carstairs was appointed Town Major and the town placed
out of bounds to all troops. He was supplied with a daily
guard and after a few visits I made the situation in the
town regarding troops and the guard was straightened out.
It rained again that night. May 6 we continued setting our
positions in order and in checking up some of the fire positions
Part of the 8 Bn guarded our right flank then B Coy A Coy
C Coy to the creek D Coy across the creek to the shore and
E Coy in reserve in front of BHQ. In other words we formed
a semicircle covering the beach. 19 Bde Hqrs were a few
hundred yards down the road towards Neon Kerrion
There was little enemy air activity this day. On the 7th
we constructed and had a bathe in the pool. May 8 brought
in the news that the situation was more serious as a "Blitz"
was expected on the island. Our situation was not so good
as we had little .303 ammunition, almost no Tommy gun
ammo and only about 40% bayonets so we hoped or at least
I did that any attack would not come until we were fitted
out with these essentials. That afternoon Theo and Brig. Vasey
went off to a cocktail party in Canea given by King George of
Greece to whom Theo was presented. All the impressions
he has of the party are that the only things to eat were
omelettes. During his journey in and at intervals Canea
was being bombed. He arrived back just after dusk.
Next day we continued on checking fire tasks and as
some wire had arrived it was erected in positions that
should anyone land they would be forced into the fire
of our automatic weapons. May 10 was a day of court
martials. We had four men, Leslie for desertion, Cavanagh
for threatening to shoot the C.O. another A Coy man for
desertion - the one who arrived at the train as we left
Athens for Larissa and a C Coy man for threatening Muller
with his fists. The President of the Court was the 2I/C of the 4 Bn
and a more inept man you could not meet. He had no
idea of preserving discipline and the sentences of 60 days
the court gave were pitiful in face of the seriousness of
the crimes. They were all airtight cases and we were
stupified when the sentences came out. Brig Vasey must
have thought so too for he sacked the court and convened
a new one under Keith Travis for the balance of the cases
which were from other units. Dakers was also a nuisance
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and further alienated any sympathy I may have had
left for him. At this time he was definitely against anyone
in authority and his sympathy was with the accused
in face of the evidence. A prison compound was erected
in the olive groves further down the road and we had
the unpleasant task of finding an officer and platoon
to guard them. All our men hated it. Walker was
the first and Falstead the last guard commander. Two
or three others were sentenced for going AWl into Canea
and sent there for 28 days. Unfortunately they were
bombed and two were killed. We also had a part
issue of uniform and equipment this day and I got
a new battledress blouse and trousers which I took
down and got one of the Mayor's daughters to iron for me.
It was done with an old flat iron not very well but took
some of the creases out. It was the English type and a bit
too small for me but my old Australian one was almost
falling to bits. If you remember I could not get a new one
to fit in Alexandria. We also received orders - or rather had -
that owing to some trouble in other villages we had to
fraternise with the locals and arranged an entertainment
for them. There was an English speaking Cretan in the town
- a great blessing - he was the barber and had spent some
time in America. Peter by name and he told me he came
back a Drachma millionaire but since had lost most
of it. Anyway I discussed it with him and issued also
through him invitations to the notables all around
and left all the food arrangements in his hands. In
Theo's diary we had chicken for tea but I have no memory of it.
Apparently he thought it important enough to include as one
of the days items. The main concern on May 11 was our party
for the villagers. In discussing this with Peter I had suggested
that we obtain sweets, cakes and food etc from Canea and
we would supply tea but he very vehemently vetoed this
and that they were not used to sugar and sweet
things and to leave it to him. So I did. I think we only had
the Coy Cdrs besides Theo, the Adjt, QM. and myself. They
had erected two or three tables under a tree opposite the
school house and the three daughters of the Mayor or at least
I think they were - had produced tablecloths and an assortment
of crockery. They provided cold mutton, cold hard boiled eggs
chicken, onions, oranges, bread and cheese and as well
a very lovely Krassis. Our guests consisted of the
Mayor and his son, two or three very prominent local
landowners both Moslem and Greek Church. The two
local policemen arrived and a bearded Greek priest.
He had just returned from the front in Greece where he
had served in the Greek Air Force and was now back
in his black vestments and queerly shaped hat. All over
the continent priests serve in the ranks in the
combatant forces and nothing is thought of it. The women
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served us and both the food and the wine flowed. I remember
one landowner was a Moslem, a relic of the Turks in Crete
and he looked a venerable old soul in a pill box hat and
baggy trousers behind. They are baggy because they believe
Mahomet will be born again of a man and they leave room in
their trousers in consequence. Under the influence of the wine
he became less benign and in the end was very bloodthirsty.
We succeeded alright in the job of making friends and when
the time came Theo made a short speech on these lines which
Peter translated. Then a shock for us. The local poetess a
girl of about sixteen was introduced and she read an
ode to us she had composed. It went on for about ten minutes
and her voice which was rather soft in the start soon
reached a high crescendo and she was soon spitting out
inspiring and warlike speech. I think Peter cut her off
rather short but Theo has the original and the translation
Peter gave us a very rough one when she paused for breath
and privately told me she was likely to go on for half an
hour. Our party lasted from three until five when we said
we must go back on the job. Then Theo received the rudest
shock when the Mayors son kissed him on both cheeks. I
forgot to say that Russ Godby was also there and after our
experience with the Polish officer in the night club in Alex it
was not such a shock to us and all the more amusing
although we did not exactly relish our turn. In the life of
me I cannot describe the three women except that Maria the
eldest was the prettiest. During the week their working clothes
were old and filthy but they looked quite nice in their Sunday
dress. It was not until the return party they gave us that
I discovered she was married and expecting a child.
The night was enlivened by a decent raid on Suda harbour
May 12 was quiet with few bombers over. May 13 was still
quiet most of the attacks being on Suda Bay where we
could see the A.A. bursting and occasionally the planes
for a short time before the hill cut off our view, We had our
own private excitement as about midday a large German
reconnaissance plane which was obviously forced to land
owing to engine trouble flew in from the sea and crashed
landed on the edge of the beach about a mile and a half
away to the East. We saw the three figures of the crew climb
out and along one wing and onto the beach and then start
walking away from us. We had a troop of artillery with us and
whom I shall mention later who wanted to fire but we
prevented it. We sent out a patrol from B Coy who were
nearest and from our hill we watched them move along
the beach towards the plane. We were extremely annoyed
at the way this patrol was carried out and more so when
we discovered Macfarlane who was commanding B Coy had
gone with it. It was not his place to leave his command.
Anyway they returned with the automatic weapons they
found on board and also a few papers and maps amongst
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which was a plan of the defences of the island compiled from
their aircraft reconnaissance. It was accurate in some
parts we discovered afterwards but they had not picked up
our positions and in fact did not know we were there. So
that our efforts at camouflage were worthwhile and the
eating proved our pudding good. The crew of the plane was
collected by a truck from 19 Bde which went out and
collected them moving towards Retimo. The next three
days were very easy. May 14 is noted as still no signs of
the arms and ammunition we so urgently needed and were
requesting every time we saw Brigadier Vasey. We also needed
more wire for a more effective job. In the night we attended
a troops concert which Dakers had organised. In his usual
style he had forgotten to tell some of the artists or find
out if they were free and whilst not a flop did not go with
great swing May 15 was still quiet and we went for a
walk in the village at night and found it deserted. May 16
was used for administration purposes and at night we
called for a few minutes on another of Wakers troop concerts.
May 17 was quiet in our sector but the day was lovely over Suda
where enemy planes obviously made a set on the harbor defences.
Sunday May 18. Theo and I made a tour of the company areas in
the morning tieing up any loose points in the defences - altering
where necessary - particularly the wiring and generally livening
things up. In the afternoon was the event of the week. The
return party given us by the villagers. It took the form of
the first but with some unexpected happenings. Incidentally
the cost of the first was about 30/- and I added 10/- as a tip
for Peter. Cheap for about thirty people. We all assembled
under the same tree with the same company and proceeded
to enjoy the food and wine. About half way through General
Freyburg stopped his car and spoke to Theo. He was looking
for a place to swim. You may not know but he was a
famous swimmer in his youth and swum the channel.
He told us that Intelligence expected the Blitz to be about the
20th or 21st and that he knew we would do our part. The
villagers all rushed him and he had to get out of his car
and have a glass of wine. They pressed food on him and
he compromised by accepting a couple of oranges. Then
Maria presented him with a bunch of flowers and he
very nicely stood our grins of delight. She insisted
on calling him Mr General. Nelson also played his part. We
told him he could not offend the villagers by not
drinking wine - he had not been at the first one the
Sunday before and as a teetotaller we did not
expect him to play - anyway he did and after two he was looking
for more and at the end I had to close down on him. Also
during the afternoon some light tanks passed through the
town going towards Retimo and each crew shared in a
handout of wine. About 5 oclock there was a very
heavy raid on Suda and Maria was very upset -
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crying and running about. We succeeded in calming her
down and Godby then told us the cause of her fears and actions.
Nelson was extremely funny and I got him away just before
the party broke up. We then walked back into the village with
the menfolk and they brought out coffee and cognac as
a stirrup cup. It blistered going down. We thought to cheer
them up by singing to them but did the reverse. They had made
a vow not to sing for some time as most had lost close
relatives in Greece against the Italians. Keith Travis stopped
in a truck after a trip to Retimo and we gave him a drink.
The normal standto time in the morning was 4 am so
walking back Theo and I decided that after the party it would
do the Coy Cdrs good to inspect them at this time. They must
have read our minds or knew what to expect for when we divided
the Bn area into two parts - I did one and Theo the other they
were all up and dressed and expecting us with a beaming smile
The rest of May 19 was quiet and occupied with additional
wiring and preparation and laying of anti personnel mines
which had arrived. Before I go further in the day to day
story I want to clear up all the loose ends of happenings
at Georgiopolis for after this things moved with a very very
big swing. When we arrived we found the bridge minded for
demolition and the demolition squad of English Engineers
nearby. We inspected this and were not satisfied that the
charge they had in would do the job. Keith Travis agreed
with our view and his company put in some hard work
and a lot more explosive before we were satisfied. About
this time we got some ammunition both 303 and Tommy
Gun and the troops exercised their ingenuity and fashioned
harness and equipment out of all sorts of material for carrying
As well we obtained some guncotton from Keith Travis and
manufactured jam tin bombs. I mentioned the anti personnel
mines a little ago. These were placed in front of our positions
and amongst our wire entanglements. I know they were
effective as when the Engineers were taking them up as we were
leaving one went off and slightly injured one of them. We helped
the locals as well as ourselves by not interfering with their
crops. All our wire was laid on the edge with trip wires
within the crop and we were careful for our own sakes to
cause as little disturbance as possible to avoid showing
up from the air and for their sakes to destroy as little
as possible. By the end of our stay we had three different
kinds of troops under our command or supporting us.
First a detachment of Marines arrived. They formed part
of M.N.B.D.O - Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation and
they brought with them two 4" naval guns which were
mounted on the point to our left and trained along the beach
we were defending. They were absolutely self contained with
diesel engines generating electricity for their signal communication
as well as for operational searchlights with which they
were equipped. They had a hell of a job getting their guns
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and gear from the bridge onto the point. Due to the undergrowth
sand and offshoots of the creek they could not drag their
stuff overland but had to wait until the tide was right and
run them through the water as near the edge as firm sand
could be found. We also used this point in our defence. High
up on the cliff was a small cave in which under Theo's
instructions I mounted one of D Coy's Bren Guns with its crew
and gave them 5000 rounds and food stores. Should the
attack start they could do a lot of damage to landing boats
before they reached the shore getting them in enfilade. How
they would get out except as prisoners we did not know. At the
end of our stay we established a watching service of the other
side of the point with whistle signals in case we were
attacked from this direction by parachutists or planes. We
also had a troop of artillery from the 2/3 Fd Rgt attached to
us. Some Italian 75mm Guns had been brought over from the
stores of captured material there and they were equipped with these.
Two guns were placed in position on our Bn Hqrs hill and the
other two over near B Coy. They were a bit dismayed to find
that no instruments needed for firing at unseen targets came
with the guns and that direct sights only could be used. They
were a lot more worried when they found one gun did not
even have these on. The ammunition was strange to them
with all sorts of queer markings for different fuses. So they had
a morning of firing out to sea until they discovered the various
answers needed. A similar troop at Retimo claims to have
brought down an aeroplane in full flight. The other unit
was a Corp of 1 MG Regt up forward with us and another in
reserve. We did not think much of them before but even less
now as we were very critical of their attempt at camouflage.
It was unfortunate for them when they tried to argue that both
Theo and I had been machine gunners in years past and
could confound them by knowing what we were talking
about than they themselves. Carstairs as Town
major figured in an incident with a member of the Company
in Reserve. Two or three came down looking for wine in
defiance of orders and when he caught them in the town cafes
he ordered them out. They refused to obey and he called the
guard. One of them promptly hit and they disappeared and
we were unable to trace them. He suffered a most beautiful
black eye - most of the damage being caused by a ring.
Another job the Bn had was a nightly patrol along the beach
from dusk until dawn and each Coy shared in turn.
They had to walk close to the water to avoid showing
their footsteps and this patrol soon became unpopular
owing to the difficulty and fatigue in carrying weapons.
We had to issue an order preventing the purchase of food from
the locals. Since our arrival the price of eggs on the island
had gone up from about 5d. per [[otse?]] [[£3?]]. ten times the amount
and the RASC were protesting. Another item troops were not
allowed to drink was milk as most animals on the island
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were diseased. Water in this area was scarce and most had to
be drawn from the creek so it had to be boiled first. It was here
that Theo and I first took to drinking tea as to us it was one
degree better than boiled water. I think I told you the 19 Bde Entertainments
Officer pulled his weight and obtained luxuries from the
NAAFI as well as stamps and writing paper. This last we used both
for its proper use and in rolling cigarettes. Airmail or toilet
paper alike served the purpose as cigarettes were scarce and I
had two tins of pipe tobacco. He served our area as well as
Retimo and arrived every couple of days. He secured us a few
bottles of whisky and sherry . during our stay here. I remember
that me bottle of sherry was mis labelled and was a very bad
one. The Cretan is rather a good brigand and guerilla and has
had lots of practice. We heard many shots at night and during the
day but obviously they were not directed at us for none of the bullets
arrived in our area. In the first few instances it caused some
alarm but we soon got used to them. During our administration
we sent round a census of the original members of the Bn. That is
those who had been with us on formation and to our surprise found
that we still had 400 originals of the 500 to 600 here. Two of our
drivers arrived after escaping by boat from Greece. Anstis
was one but his story did not ring altogether true. Warner
also arrived and his story sounded better. The one point ^of interest was
the horror they all had when having run out of petrol they
landed and discovered a church with some oil on the altar.
He very graphically described their hesitation in taking it
and the final rush in and out with their prize. I am
unable to remember how they made the engine go with it but
it enabled them to reach Crete. Theo and I after our return
from the party on the Sunday sat down and wrote each a
letter. The last we wrote you and even now I do not know
whether you received it or not as the blitz started two days later.
Our only reading matter was Theo's copy of Palgrave's Golden
Treasury and I ended my letter with a verse from it. Just
to make sure you do read it I shall copy it out again for you.
It is from "Present in absence" sometimes shown as as Anonymous and
sometimes attributed to John Donne. I am also including another
verse. These two represent the first and last verses and I hope you
agree they remind me of you and our love. And the middle verse too.
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The dawn of May 20. The attack on the island commenced today.
About midday six slow large troop carrying planes flew slowly
overhead - not at a great height. If we had not received orders
not to fire at aircraft I fully believe we could have got the lot
from the ground. Instead we lay doggo and they passed overhead
towards Suda. Shortly afterwards someone on the hill shouted
that he could see parachutists landing. We went up and could
see them being dropped from the planes in waves over Retimo
into a valley. It was a very marvellous sight to see the wave
of planes come over, pass and the puffs and twenty or
thirty parachutes open and the Germans descending until
they sank from our sight behind the hill and point into the
valley. The attack was made at two main points of the island
in the East at Maleme Aerodrome and Canea - in the West
at Retimo and Heraklion (or Candia). During the afternoon
reports came in from Cretans that there were half a dozen
parachutists dropped in the hills. But we could not find them
and think they were dummies. Still when we observed two
strange figures on a hill behind us and just too far away
to see what they were doing we sent Walker and a patrol
out. They moved long before they reached the spot so we will never
know what they were doing. I personally think they were Cretans as they
made little attempt at concealment although one dimly looked as if
he was sketching. All that day were on the "qui vive" but nothing
happened in our area. We received a report from Brigade at
nightfall that the situation was well in hand. At Retimo the
enemy had landed between us and our forces there but we
received a running broadcast of the situation from a
signaller telephonist who plugged onto the land line about
a mile from the fight. Before I get on to the story of leaving Georgiopolis
one other thing. We received orders to send all carrier drivers into
Suda to take delivery of carriers after they were unloaded. We
received one but the other drivers were unlucky. During a
raid the boat carrying the carriers was hit and had to be
beached. There she was half out of the water with the most
needed part of her cargo - the carriers - under water. The
carrier travelled with us to our new position but had to be
handed over to a N.Z. Brigadier who could not walk so we
gained no benefit from its possession. Early on May 21 Theo
attended a conference at Brigade where the Brigadier outlined his
plans for us to move and attack the enemy who were between
us and our forces at Retimo from the West. Brig Vasey was responsible
for the defence of Retimo as well as Georgiopolis and he had
the 1st and 11th Bn and some Greeks there. // Theo issued his
orders but an hour later they were cancelled and he was
told to report at Force Headquarters for a conference and with
the task ahead of us of attacking Maleme the following morning.
He left and was bombed all the way through Canea and
arrived at Force Hqrs. The bombing delayed everything
and he sat on a hillside nearby untill 5.30 watching
through his glasses enemy planes landing on Maleme
329
aerodrome at 3 minute intervals. At 5.30 he asked for orders
and was told he was not going to attack but was to relieve
the 20 N.Z. Bn. Previous to leaving us he had issued a warning
order for us to move at 8 pm. With this change of orders he was
told to move the Bn at once. A very difficult problem to overcome
as we were 15 miles away and we had no communications. At
the same time he was warned that an attack from the sea was
expected that night. He set off on his reconnaissance but owing
to the incessant bombing he arrived at the 20 Bn at dusk owing
to the roads being jammed. All he could do then was send
Lunn to the rendezvous appointed and wait. At Georgiopolis
the Staff Captain brought a message to me from Brig. Vasey
that the Bn was to move with all possible speed as near to
5 pm as possible instead of 8 pm. During the afternoon
the transport for carrying us arrived in dribs and drabs
from all sorts of sources and was dispersed under cover as
it arrived. The drivers were all un nerved by bombing and
the threat or sound of planes and were sheltering away
from their trucks as they considered their vehicles the
targets and therefore a liability. Our lack of communication
made our sudden change of time a difficult order to carry
out and the collection of drivers even more so. I hoped to
get away at 5 pm and speeded things up. Odd planes had
been over our area all day but nothing had happened. Just
as we had completed the embussing of the Bn in their areas with
the exception of D Coy whose drivers were still coming in some
enemy planes came over and discovered us in the area. C
Coy had assembled in the village ready to move into the
column and I was worried then but the bombing was
at some target in their area further out. BHQ and HQ
Coy were along the road in the shelter of the gum trees
during this and we crouched in the ditch. The driver of
my truck thought he would be safer under his truck and
when I wanted to start we found him resting on the
shaftizy off the ground underneath. Time was getting on
and I had to make a decision whether to stay or carry
out my orders. The planes were concentrating as well on
a supply dump about a mile further on nearer to Leon
Kerrion. Everyone else was ready except D Coy so I left Halliday
to hurry them on and I started off with the planes still around.
It followed on our idea from Greece that the best way is to just
go on in the face of an attack. My driver from an English unit I
must admit was not very keen on the idea. We whizzed down
the road and passed the food dump and breathed again. Then
we turned a corner a found half a dozen planes above with
the obvious intention of attacking us somewhere. I stopped the
column until I was sure Savige with A Coy had caught up
and then we sailed on. It was rather exhilarating. By this
time I had got it into my drivers head that we were not
stopping for anything. Consequently he drove his 30cwt
truck at a hell of a bat swinging around curves on what
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seemed like two wheels. The planes had now obviously got
on to us but the road was winding along a valley and there
were few straight stretches. The planes cruised about those straight
stretches waiting for us but unfortunately had little luck. Twice
I watched a plane single us out and bank and turn to
machine gun us along the straight and I told the driver
to crack it up. It then became a race to the curve between us
and the plane and curiously enough I had little fear.
Excitement buoyed me up probably. Nevertheless twice it was
touch and go and we just sneaked around the corner in
time and foiled the planes. We streaked along and I hoped
the Bn was following. We had to stop and slide down an
embankment as Brigade Hqrs truck had stopped in front of us
for what seemed to me no particular reason. I got them going
and we pounded on. The truck in front had the BM in it
and he turned off to meet Brig. Vasey. I halted and followed
him in for two reasons. One was to let the Bn get up to me as
I felt they were probably strung out owing to the attacks.
I was right and only B Coy were behind me. What happened
was that Savige had turned off onto another road to Suda.
The other reason was I did not know where Theo was and
what was happening so I got the position from Brig Vasey
and our task. I waited a little while longer for the Bn to
catch up but nothing came along so I had to continue
in the dusk to the rendezvous which was near the wall of the
naval Barracks at Suda. To my great relief I found Lunn
with A Coy assembled and got further information from him
Time was getting on and I asked Lunn how I could get to Theo
If he led those we had assembled and I remained then I would
have no guide when I got hold of E, C and D Coys. His driver
said he knew the way so I took on A & B and left Lunn
to bring in the rest. We pushed on in the dark along the coast
road past Tobruk Avenue and Wavells way and through
the town of Canea. Pass words during the last week were
changed daily and were double barrelled ones. The challenge
for the night was Salmon Trout and the answer was Blenheim. I
had a little trouble as some of the guards were still
working on the previous day's and I did not feel very keen
on being shot by our own side. My driver said that
isolated Germans were sniping the road but none did
whilst we were travelling on it. We arrived at the 20 Bn area
and I reported to Theo the position. They were glad to start
on the relief as the 20 Bn were to attack Maleme instead of
us and had to move up. I received a neat gin which
was acceptable and then got into Lunns truck and
went back to the rendezvous where I found Lunn had
just got the last Coy together. The break in the Bn had
been caused by Miller not keeping going and stopping
when attacked. We received remarkably few casualties
Palmer and one or two others only and it conclusively
proved our assertion that to carry on was best. I took
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them on to the new position and we completed the handover
and the 20 Bn moved out. During the day but I cannot remember
the time and during Theo's absence Brigadier Vasey visited
the prison compound we were guarding and which was receiving
some strafing from the enemy. In fact two men including one
of ours had been killed. He told them that if they would
agree to moving out 5 miles along the Retimo road and
holding a position there until dusk under Felstead he
would free them and after dusk they could find their own
way on foot back to their units. They agreed and went out by
truck. Felstead reported back to us during the night. Mitchell
tells me however that on our way he met MP's looking for
escapees from the compound but I cannot understand this
story. Only Felstead can tell me the correct version and he
is not in this camp. I have also heard now from Johnstone that
at Georgiopolis the planes had a go at the bridge and lobbed
one ten yards from it exploding in the creek. Rumor also has
it that the bridge was later effectively smashed by our own
demolitions. Theo tells me that the expected attempt to land
from the sea was made and early in the night the naval
action could be heard. I did not hear any of it until we
had settled down after the relief and the thunder and
flashes of the guns made a very impressive sight out to sea.
Part of our position overlooked the beach and our Intelligence
section from an observation post on a small headland
observed ships in flames and reported. Their estimate was
17 miles away whilst the Navy later made it 19 miles. In all
five ships were seen afire and another sight we had was
the inner screen of destroyers creeping along close to the
shore to pick off any the main fleet missed. I have no
correct story of the success of the navy only knowing that
it was successful. The only ship - a caique to get through
them was picked up by a destroyer next day. Many and
various are the estimates of the casualties the enemy
suffered this night of May 21/22 and you will no doubt
have read this in the newspapers yourself. History
written later will only reveal the true facts. We all had
an uneasy night and after the flashes and noise out to sea
had died down I was able to get a couple of hours sleep
- much needed I can tell you. We were occupying a dug in
position - dug by a Scots regiment some months before.
They were fairly roomy and comfortable dugouts and the NZs
had left some magasines etc which were eagerly seized on.
I was up at dawn on May 22 and went out to the OP to
see our positions. They ran B, left D, A on the beach,
E Coy across the road and C Coy also who were placed
as local defence for Div Hqrs//. There was considerable
air activity all day but nothing to speak of on us.
During the day I went over to our left and made a reconnaissance
of a Rest Camp area in the event of our having to move there.
It was occupied by a very mixed force of all arms and
332
units - with some rifles and many without. They were
formed of workshop Corps, Artillery batteries - ordnance
and generally were a very mixed bag. They were attached
to the Suda Bay Defence Force and for want of a name
called themselves that Royal Paravolians from a village
just in front. A regular army Infantry captain was in
Command with majors of all arms temporily in the
circumstances under him. My tour of the area absolutely
disgusted me owing to the filth of the area. Opened and
unopened tins of food every where and no sanitation
and all the flies of the island. It was in a very thick grove
of olive trees with most ornate and deep slit trenches
everywhere in the roots. The men were exceedingly nervy as
they had never been trained for these conditions or to act as
infantry. I saw plenty of signs of the parachute descent as
there had been no time to collect any of the gear dropped
in special containers. I did pick up a torch which was
very handy. It took me a long time to cover this area and
on the way back I reported the positions of the Royal Paravolians
to Div HQrs On the way back there was a bombing attack on
the road running through our position and this delayed
me as I could only move in short stages. Just as I entered
BHQ area I saw Russ Godby emerge from a RAP hole
looking rather shaken as a bomb had landed fairly
close to him on the road. Theo tells me now that he
had had some hot coffee sandwiches and ^ chocolate coffee from
Athens as some stores for the Parachutists had been dropped
in our area instead of the Germans. May 23. An
alteration in plans made further reconnaissance of part
of the Royal Paravolians area as well as some new ground
and I was sent off to do it. My journey was not an
unmitigated pleasure for the Germans had complete air
superiority - even more than that - they had nothing against
them and their planes were able to cruise all over our
areas without interruption and bomb and machine gun
to further orders. I had to space my reconnaissance out
between raids for almost as soon as I got there they chose
the area for a strafe. I sheltered once with some Artillery men
in a hole in a bank and rather rocked them by leaving
abruptly to finish my job. The one attack of the number
I had during the afternoon which sticks in my memory
was when having to seek shelter in a hole from planes
over I found a hole cut in the bank of a creek and
it was not sort of lying lengthwise into the ground
but stood upright more like a mummy case than
anything. I seemed to be alone in the world and when
the bullets were whipping around my thoughts were
anything but pleasant. I was there for over half an hour
wondering when I should be hit - and if so if I would
ever be found and you notified or just forgotten and
missed and left standing in a case just as an Egyptian
333
mummy until the end of the world. Most unpleasant. Anyway
it was not my day. Due to the constant interruptions my
task had taken much longer than I or anyone else expected
and I got back to the Bn to find that they too had received
a very healthy strafing in the way of bombs mostly and
a little MG. The road and our area particularly BHQ had
been particularly heavily bombed and when I came up it
presented quite a different face to when I had last left it. Theo
and Russ Godby had sheltered in Theo's dug out during the
raid. A bomb landed somewhere near and a splinter flew in
the open door. They were however sheltering at one side and
were quite safe. Theo picked it up and quickly threw it at
Russ saying "Catch". Unsuspecting he did so but almost as
quickly dropped it. It was almost red hot. His anger was
the best thing that could have happened to him as it proved
an antidote to his shaken nerves. When I got back I found we
had lost our function as a reserve Bn and were to move
over to the left flank along the Valley Road to take up a position
to meet an expected attack. This meant a different [[?]] and
a new reconnaissance made difficult by the fact that dusk
was approaching. Theo went off with all but one of the Coy Cdrs
and followed with the last one whilst the Bn prepared to
move up on to a rendezvous. B Coy had temporarily been
taken away from us to Galatos as a reserve and rejoined
us later in the night without having been in action. Theo
moved down the road and almost went too far as they missed
the flank of the 19 Bn N.Z. and nearly went into the German lines.
They stopped however in time and completed the reconnaissance
in the dusk. I missed telling you that in the bombing of BHQ
earlier we lost. two runners killed whilst they were sheltering
beside a carrier. We took over part of the 28 Bn Maori Bn area
in this new position. Further forward were many mute evidences
of the battle when the parachutists first landed. Miller was
concerned in an amusing incident. During the reconnaissance
he and Theo sat in the ditch at the side of the road with
our only map between them against the embankment. They
both felt something come between them and looking quickly up
were surprised to see the head of a small donkey. Later on
Miller was making his way in his reconnaissance of his
own Coy area when he saw a shadow move behind a tree.
He pulled out his revolver and called "Come out I can
see you with a few other words. No answer or movement
and he called again. As he was moving continuously
forward the same donkey trotted out towards him
from behind a tree. Twice an anti-climax for him.
Nelson in doing his job had a small village or rather
collection of houses in his area and when he was
inspecting this area the villagers by signs told him
there were two Germans there. I don't think he believed
them quite but as he entered the short street they
moved out the other end. It was evidently a patrol.
334
The Bn moved up and we went into position in the dark. During
the night we built road blocks and mined them rather effectively.
The entrance to Bn Hqrs was at the beginning of a sunken road.
We had another part of the MG Rgt near us but they were without
guns. A truck arrived with a couple of heavy Italian machine
guns - Fiats" - and I spent some time helping them in the
darkness to try and discover how the worked. The torch I
had picked up I gave to Theo and Goodwin who used it under
a blanket to write their reports and orders. After midnight Theo
asked me to go down the road and establish liaison with the
19 NZ Bn who were on our right and to make sure that the junction
between Millers Coy and their left was well protected. I went down
and after some difficulty located them on the top of a hill. In
fact I had extreme trouble and had to have a Coy Cdr wakened up
so that I could discus the situation with him. Then back and
to a short sleep. May 24 Empire Day dawned and the whole day
was a signal for the uninterupted air attack both bombing and
machine gunning. The centre of the attack was Canea and the
bridge over the river a little further behind us on the coast
road. It started with the dawn and continued all day. Planes
were overhead cruising all over our area and one had to be
careful. They were big planes and they usually gave a burst
from the forward guns as they passed over. It was a very foolish
mistake to think they could not fire backwards as there was a
gun in the fuselage pointing downwards and when it past they
let go with this. Most disturbing and with planes coming in
all directions at once it was a bit difficult to decide on which
direction to seek cover. This sort of existence continued all day.
We saw an attack by 27 Stukas on Suda Bay where the a/a
defences deserve the highest of praise. They stood up to an almost
endless bombardment and gave as good as they got. They bit
back hard. The 27 planes sailed over and we watched them
break up into formation for their Characteristic dive. The a/a
was batting away and it proved too accurate for most of them.
Only six went into their dive and three did not come out
of it. The remaining 21 sheared off. During the morning
Brigadier Vasy arrived and told Theo that we would attack that
evening on one objective as the hills overlooking Malime aerodrome
- our success would shorten the front by two brigades. he was
then going on to Division to arrange the final details. An hour
later he was back to say that by Saturday we would starve them
out. Theo remarked he did not think so and instanced the
hot coffee sandwiches and chocolate of the previous day.
The 28 Maori Bn was now partly in reserve and partly between
us and the 19th and just before dusk we saw them moving out
no information had been given us so Theo sent me across
to their Hqrs to find out what was happening as otherwise
our right flank would be left in the air. I set off and
was particularly careful to choose a covered way through the
335
olive groves but it was not my happiest choice. It was just on dusk
and the German planes chose this time for a really hefty strafe
of the whole area. Just in the middle of the plantation - I was - when
they decided that it was time for their work on the same place.
For half an hour I spent all my time and thoughts on self
preservation - crouching behind an olive tree on the opposite
side. from the direction a plane was coming in and then round
the other way when it was overhead to escape the rear gunner.
It was quite a good game and fairly safe until four or five planes
came from all points of the compass and I was very hard put
to miss their bursts. they were using tracer and small cannon
or explosive bullets and they at least gave me the direction of
the fire. I was very lucky and the nearest was a bullet and
another explosive one at the back of my tree. Actually it
was rather impressive when they were ∧ the bullets were landing twenty yards away
colored tracer - small explosions sending out sparks and bits
of red hot metal but all the same I was glad when they called
it a day and went home. It was most unusual for planes to
attack at this time as in the past the final attacks were
usually about 5 oclock. I was able to get to Maori Bn Hqrs
and see their C.O. who told me they were moving to attack Maleme
in the morning. He also gave his timings and arranged
that 19 NZ Bn would see to our front as they were taking over
This sati9sfied us. About eightoclock Russ Godby and I went
down to a small collection of houses. Earlier we had been
asked for a doctor by the locals for a girl who had been caught
by a burst of automatic fire from the Germans during the
parachute attack. We went down and the whole party came into
the house with us. A girl of twenty had been hit and was
rather restless. I went outside and Godby examined her
thigh and shoulder and found nothing to worry about. He
was also asked about blood pressure and other ailments by some
of the others. I think one of them spoke a little English - anyway
enough to be understood. We rather hoped for a drink of wine
but they offered some milk which we refused. When by signs
we were made to understand it had been boiled we had some
and very nice too. On the way I noticed two Greek girls in khaki
shirts and shorts in a house nearer us but more about them
later in their proper place. I think we had a fair sleep this night.
One other event during the day caused us two casualties. Only
a few bombs had been dropped near us - mostly machine
gunning but one had landed near a slit trench and completely
buried Cpl Newman and one of the Warren Bros. They died
either of suffocation or shock. During the morning of March 25
the Brig came over and said we were moving over to the left to
avoid the pocket caused by the Valley Road and Canea in
case we had to withdraw. Theo again mentioned his views that
we should make a final attempt and attack. By this time
the air attacks were a heavy as the day before but we moved
in daylight under them and occupied our new positions
outside the Centre Road in the area I had already been over
336
and without casualties. We took this opportunity to point out to
the Bn that movement could be carried out successfully against
air superiority - certainly in favorable cover conditions but
the area was getting a fair share of lead. I hope never again
to experience any theatre of war where our own aircraft
are non-existent. The positions here were B coy on the right
to the Valley Road and A Coy to the left with C ∧ in the center. D and E in
reserve with 2 Coys of the 8 Bn on our left. We had hardly
completed our arrival when a message from Bde advised
that the 8 Bn had pulled out. D Coy (Nelsons Coy) was
immediately put in to re-establish the line and to
protect our left. I went over to see that he had made his
junction with the right of a composite force and found
he had just located them and joined up. Just about
dusk or possibly1 hour before Foxwell arrived panting and
shattered our calm. he brought the news that B Coy were
surrounded and were being fired on from front and
rear. When I say calm I mean that no actual attack had
been made on us but A Coy had been under fire all day. Theo
immediately organised a counter attack and used E Coy
under Halliday. This was mainly composed of my old HQ Coy
and they were all excitement to be used for the first time.
A messenger however, who had been sent to C Coy giving them the
position and instructing them not to move, crossed with one from
them advising that B Coy had succeeded in extricating themselves
to the right and that there had been no infiltration between
A and C. E Coy had already started straight up Centre Road
so Theo sent me haring after them. I succeeded in stopping them
after a long run and to their great disappointment. Nothing more
could be done and the front was now D, A, C with B in right
rear of C and e again in reserve. During the day Theo had
attended a conference at Brigade. On the way he had come across
a bag of German stick Grenades. After the conference he tipped
these out quite gaily and asked what could be done with them.
He tells me he was left in solitary state in the hole in the
ground inside 10 seconds and from a safe distance told him
what he do with them. Another story from Brigade.
Luxton the Transport Officer was sheltering in a lane bordered
by stone walls. German planes were so low and so contemptuous
he picked up a stone and threw it at one of them. He missed
but scored a hit on the plane following. At the conference
Theo knew that we were going to withdraw that night at
11.30 through a rearguard near Suda bay and we were
to march to Neon Kerrion. At nightfall the Germans sent up
flares which denoted the positions they had reached and this
gave us their line. We had no telephones within the Bn the
only communication being by runner. The only phone we
had was one to Brigade laid by them. About 9 pm the
final orders for the withdrawal came over the line and
we were to deny our position to the enemy until 11.30 pm.
337
The fire fight had continued all through the day and
on after nightfall but not with the same intensity. I know
one of our companies with a crop in front fired occasional
bursts through it to discourage any use of it. Each Coy had
to send a runner or runners back who would know the
to his Coy. D Coy runner however declared he could
not find his way back and had no idea of where they were.
This very definitely was a nasty proposition as we were with
drawing. I had been to their area during the day but only
the [[extreme?]] left but I offered and Theo accepted my taking
the withdrawal order to Nelson. The runner and I started
off but in the darkness and the trees I travelled in a circle
and found myself lost but near BHQ. So we went there and
started again. I cursed both the runner and myself for
the loss of time. I was not exactly my idea of a pleasant
journey as we might blunder into the enemy at any time.
I was much more fortunate this time and contacted Nelson
- again luck was with me - and give him his orders. It was
obvious he would be a bit late owing to our not finding him the
first time but I impressed on him the necessity for speed. I went
back to BHQ and we waited for A and D Coys to come in. Both
were having some difficulty in disengaging. A Coy finally
arrived and joined the others waiting to move off. At 11.35
Theo was just going to disconnect the phone to Brigade when
it rang and he was told to hold the positions. He very
rightly said that the withdrawal was on and the Bn would
not be completely under his command for some time. He
asked for the Brigadier who was away then Division and
then Force and finally was told the order was cancelled
and the original order to withdraw stood. I was very much
on pins and needles about D Coy and the delay but they
had overcome a lot of difficulties. They finally arrived
and we commenced the march. Here I may say that we
did not have to go over the bridge near Canea which had
been the target for the enemy airforce for 24 hours. They failed
to hit it and the only damage it suffered was a bent
handrail. Our way was rather rough until we had
passed over a small footbridge over the creek and then
onto a road which went past the wireless station. We were
the last out and two or maybe three tanks were
rearguard behind us. We halted once to let the Marines
come in ahead of us and then continued on towards
Suda Bay. It was now well past midnight and the march
was very fast, dusty and not particularly enlivening
with the unpleasant smell of unburied men. Some time
after we had left Centre Road the enemy found we had
gone and commenced a slow advance putting up
flare after flare as he cautiously came forward. We
could trace the pace of his advance by the position
of the flares. Our march was about 6 miles and very
dusty and we finally arrived at Suda Bay Rest Camp
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