[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 62nd anniversary 
of the Battle of Crete by introducing this House Resolution which 
recognizes and appreciates the historical significance of the people of 
Crete during World War II.
  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 Crete.
  Both the allies and Nazis wanted Crete because of its strategic 
location. At that 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 this was to 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 took 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.
  This valiant fight by the Cretan people began in the first hour of 
the Nazi airborne invasion. In contrast of 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 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 Times (London) July 28, 1941 report that ``five hundred 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 high. Thousands of civilians died from random executions, 
starvation, and imprisonment. Entire communities were burned and 
destroyed by the Germans as a reprisal for the Cretan resistance 
movement. Yet this resistance lasted for four 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 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 exemplified the 
courage it takes to preserve it.
  Today, the courage and fortitude of the Cretan people is seen in the 
members of the United Cretan Associations of New York which is located 
in Astoria, Queens.
  I congratulate the newly elected officials and look forward to 
working with them.
  I request my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the 
United States, Greece, and the diaspora.

                               H. Res.--

       Whereas 2003 marks the 62nd anniversary of the heroic 
     Battle of Crete, which took place on the Greek island of 
     Crete during World War II between Nazi German forces and the 
     people of Crete assisted by the Allied armies;
       Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the 
     Battle of Crete, delaying for two months the Nazi German 
     invasion of Russia;
       Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade 
     Russia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the 
     final outcome of World War II and leading to the defeat of 
     fascism;
       Whereas many historians agree that the Battle of Crete was 
     one of the most significant battles of World War II;
       Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free 
     world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving democracy, 
     freedom, and human dignity;
       Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized to 
     fight the Nazi German occupation of the island of Crete;
       Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement 
     inflicted heavy casualties up Nazi German forces, including 
     kidnaping a heavily-guarded Nazi German General, setting an 
     example for all of the people of Europe to follow;
       Whereas the people of Crete suffered savage reprisals for 
     their heroic resistance when the Nazi German invaders 
     randomly executed thousands of civilians and burned and 
     destroyed entire communities;
       Whereas many participants in the Battle of Crete and the 
     Cretan Resistance Movement later emigrated to the United 
     States and became American citizens; and
       Whereas many of these citizens became members of the 
     PanCretan Association of America, an organization comprised 
     of Greek Americans with ancestry from the island of Crete and 
     committed to preserving and promoting the rich culture and 
     proud history of Crete: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) observes the memory of the fallen heroes of the Battle 
     of Crete;
       (2) honors the living men and women of Crete who, during 
     World War II, fought an oppressive invader to preserve the 
     ideals of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of happiness; 
     and
       (3) commends the PanCretan Association of America or 
     preserving and promoting the history of Crete and its people.

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