[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 61st ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 61st 
anniversary of the Battle of Crete. This is a historic event with 
direct significance to the allies' victory of World War II.
  On May 20, 1941, thousands of German paratroopers and gliders began 
landing on the island of Crete. Both the allies and Nazis wanted Crete 
because of its strategic location. At the time the British controlled 
the island. It was a very strong point on the lifeline to India and 
protected both Palestine and Egypt. The Nazi invasion force included 
the elite German paratroopers and glider troops. Hitler felt that this 
would be an easy victory. Yet he is quoted to have said shortly after 
the invasion, ``France fell in 8 days. Why is Crete free?''
  The invasion of Crete lasted 11 days. It resulted in more than 6,000 
German troopers listed as killed, wounded or missing in action. The 
losses to the elite 7th parachute division were felt so hard by the 
German military, it signified the end of large scale airborne 
operations. They did not have another parachute division invasion in 
the rest of the war. This valiant fight by the Cretan people began in 
the first hour of the Nazi airborne invasion, in contrast to the 
European underground movements that took a year or more after being 
invaded to activate. Young boys, old men and women displayed 
breathtaking bravery in defending their Crete. German soldiers never 
got used to Cretan women fighting against them. They would tear the 
dress from the shoulder of suspected women to find bruises from the 
recoil of the rifle. The penalty was death.
  The London Times of July 28, 1941 reported, and I quote, that ``500 
Cretan women have been deported to Germany for taking part in the 
defense of their native island.''
  Another surprise for the German soldiers who invaded Crete was the 
heroic resistance of the clergy. A priest leading his parishioners into 
battle was not what the Germans anticipated. At Paleochora, Father 
Stylianos Frantzeskis, hearing of the German airborne invasion, rushed 
to his church, sounded the bell, took his rifle and marched his 
volunteers toward Maleme to write history. This struggle became an 
example for all Europe to follow in defying German occupation and 
aggression.
  The price paid by the Cretans for their valiant resistance to Nazi 
forces was extremely high. Thousands of civilians died from random 
executions, starvation and imprisonment.

                              {time}  2100

  Entire communities were burned and destroyed by the Germans as 
punishment for the Cretan resistance movement. Yet this resistance 
lasted for 4 years.
  The Battle of Crete was to change the final outcome of World War II. 
The Battle of Crete significantly contributed in delaying Hitler's plan 
to invade Russia. The invasion was delayed from April to June of 1941. 
The 2-month delay in the invasion made Hitler's forces face the harsh 
Russian winter. The Russian snow storms and the sub-zero temperatures 
eventually stalled the Nazi invasion before they could take Moscow or 
Leningrad. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Nazi reign of 
terror.
  This significant battle and the heroic drive of the Cretan people 
must always be remembered and honored. Democracy came from Greece, and 
the Cretan heroes exemplify the courage that it takes to preserve it.
  Today, the courage of the Cretan people is seen in the Members of the 
Pancretan Association of America and the Cretan Association ``Omonoia'' 
that is located in Astoria-Queens, which I have the honor of 
representing.
  The Pancretan Association officers are Theodore Panagiotakis, 
president; Michael Papoutsakis, vice president; John Stavroulakis, 
secretary; and Emmanuel Kavrakis, treasurer. They are assisted by 
outstanding board members George Bassias, George Bombolakis, Nikos 
Chartzoulakis, George Fradelakis, George Kokonas, George Malandrakis, 
and Vassilis Manrangoudakis.
  The Cretan people fought a seen enemy. Today we need the courage they 
displayed to fight the unseen enemy that struck on 9-11 and that 
continues to threaten our freedom and democracy.
  I request my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the 
United States, Greece and the Diaspora.

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