An extraordinary story that connects the Cretans to the Anzacs has been transcribed for the first time by Greek Australian journalist and author, Stella Tzobanakis in her book “Creforce: the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete”.
The Battle of Crete was one of the most dramatic battles of the Second World War, but not many know the story which is one of the biggest in the military history of Australia and New Zealand.
The book is written for children 10 years and up and is included in the Premier’s Reading Challenge list across Australia. It brings history to roaring life by depicting the stories of real people that lived, fought, and risked their lives for each other, forming bonds that last until today.
On 20 May 1941, Hitler launched Operation Mercury, the invasion of Crete. A fierce 10-day battle ensued, known as the Battle of Crete, where Anzacs and the people of Crete fought side-by-side, before Crete finally fell on the 11th day.
“Although the battle with Nazi Germany lasted 10 days, the war lasted four years. The Anzacs were stuck on Crete and had to find ways to resist capture, starvation and escape the island. This ‘war game’ of ‘hide and seek’ involved the Cretans harbouring the Anzacs in their own homes, feeding them, clothing them and employing resistance tactics to help them flee,” says Ms Tzobanakis.
For Ms Tzobanakis researching and writing this book was a personal journey to her roots and to Crete where her parents were born. But it also became a very important part of her identity as she discovered the strong connection that was formed during those years between the two countries she calls home.
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German soldiers interrogating elderly local men. Photo: Australian War Memorial/106497
'Horrie the Wog Dog' became the unit's unofficial mascot and travelled with them to Greece. Photo: Australian War Memorial/076877
New Zealand troops in transit between Hania and Galatia's in Crete. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library
She was only 15 when this journey started, when she accidentally caught sight of the Suda Bay War Cemetary in Crete, and recognised amongst the thousands of graves the Anzac insignia chiselled perfectly into the headstones.
“Standing in front of the marked (and many unmarked) graves at Suda Bay, I realised that there was a deep connection between the country I was born in and my parents’ birthplace; a connection between Australians, New Zealanders and the people of Crete, who had once fought like brothers in arms. It was that moment that inspired this book,” Stella Tzobanakis writes in her prologue.
“It took me two years to research and write this book,” the author tells Neos Kosmos. “It involved reading a lot of reference material, watching documentaries, films, diaries, talking to Anzacs and Greeks, who grew up in Crete during WWII and their memories, or recording them recounting stories told to them by their parents. As well as visits back and forth to Crete that helped me write about the landscape and set the scene.
“Her mum, Eleni, is from the village of Asi Gonia, Hania, the birthplace of famous Cretan Runner George Psychoundakis. And her father is from the village of Kokkino Horio, that became known worldwide from the film ‘Zorba the Greek’, where many scenes take place.
READ MORE: Hellenic community marches with the Anzacs who fought in Greece and Crete
The moment Stella Tzobanakis caught sight of the Suda Bay War Cemetary in Crete, and recognised the Anzac insignia engraved on many graves, was when the idea for this book was borne. Photo: Supplied
For author Stella Tzobanakis, researching and writing this book, was a personal journey to her roots, to Crete where her parents were born, and an exploration of the strong connection that was formed during those years between the two countries she calls home. Photo: Supplied
Troops on board a destroyer arriving at Alexandria. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library
“From what I understand it is the first and only book that is written for children as an educational resource, and tells the whole story. It is not a heavy military history book. It strings together the stories of the people of Crete and the Anzacs and how they fought together, risked their lives for one another and how out of this wartime experience, bonds have been created and lasted well beyond the war; bonds that will last a lifetime.”
The book includes first hand accounts of those that lived through the battle and reveals the author’s personal Anzac story, discovered whilst writing this book. The narration also weaves in extraordinary and real-life characters such as Roald Dahl, the famous British novelist; Charles Jager, the 20-year old amateur lightweight boxer from Richmond; Reginald Saunders, the 19 year-old soldier who was the first Aboriginal Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army and even Horrie the Wog Dog, the little terrier who became an unofficial mascot, smuggled into Greece.
And of course a big part of the narrative is dedicated to the people of Crete, likened to Ned Kelly for their outlaw-style tactics as part of the Cretan resistance. The most notable of them is Psychoundakis, an uneducated poor, young Cretan shepherd who became a decorated war hero for aiding British soldiers, including author, scholar, Patrick Leigh Fermor who has been described as a cross between Indiana Jones and James Bond.
“My mother grew up with George Psychoundakis in Asi Gonia. He was chosen to be part of the Special Operations (SOE) Unit, which was made up of Anzac, Greek and British agents. One of the most daring SOE operations was the kidnapping of General Kreipe which was made into the Hollywood film, Ill Be Met By Midnight starring Dirk Bogarde,” Ms Tzobanakis says.
Stella Tzobanakis is now working on ideas for a second and subsequent books and a possible film. “Creforce: the Anzacs and the Battle of Crete” is available online only at the stelitsa home store:http://stelitsahome.bigcartel.com