[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E956-E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 63RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 63rd anniversary 
of the Battle of Crete. Last year, I introduced H. Res. 244 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 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 them. They would tear the dress from the shoulders of 
suspected women to find bruises from the recoil of the rifle. The 
penalty was death.
  The Times (London) July 28, 1941, reported 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

[[Page E957]]

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 snowstorms 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 urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the United 
States, Greece, and the diaspora.

                          ____________________