[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
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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.
____________________