The ABC has commissioned Neos Kosmos journalist Mike Sweet to produce a radio documentary telling the story of how two Anzac soldiers were protected by the Cretan people during WWII.

The program will use exclusive research undertaken recently by Sweet in Crete – following the trail of Australian and Kiwi troops who went on the run in June 1941. The documentary will be broadcast as part of Radio National’s newly-created Earshot series.

Sweet has been visiting Crete regularly since 2010, carrying out research into a film on Captain Reg Saunders (the first Aboriginal man to be made an officer in the Australian army) and his time on the island in 1941 and 1942.

Sweet says the ABC’s interest was driven by the profound nature of the Anzac experience on Crete.

“The second Anzacs – a generation after those who fought at Gallipoli – fought in Greece, and as that doomed campaign came to its conclusion, they were looked after with such care and heroism by the Cretan people.

“I am making this program to reveal more about that remarkable example of kinship.”
Hundreds of Allied troops who evaded capture on the island after the Allied surrender found refuge in the mountains and were protected by villagers who risked their lives for the soldiers.

In the past six months Sweet has travelled to Crete twice to carry out research for the production and record interviews.

“I go on a journey of discovery, starting in the village of Chora Sfakia, and ending up on one the secret evacuation beaches in the Heraklion province, so it’s quite an odyssey,” he told Neos Kosmos.

“I need to thank the many people who’ve assisted me in researching this subject in Crete – the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, GOCMV, the Kytherian Association of Australia and the Nicholas Aroney Trust, as well as the generous support of Aegean Airlines and some key individuals.

“Without their help it would have been impossible to realise this production.”

The ABC’s Lyn Gallagher – supervising producer on the production – said that what drew her to the story was the generosity of the Cretan people.

“Even when their lives were under threat they kept their guests safe. As Mike follows in the footsteps of these two Anzacs, we get a real sense of the danger they faced and how the protection they were offered cost their hosts so dearly.

“Mike’s passionate about telling this story and it will be a great show.”

The radio program is currently being edited in ABC’s Southbank studios and is set to be broadcast later this year.