[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the 66th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, the historic battle that 
contributed to the Allies' victory of World War II.
  Because of its strategic location as part of the lifeline to India 
and its proximity to both Palestine and Egypt, both the Allies and 
Nazis wanted Crete. At that time the British controlled the island.
  On May 20, 1941, the Nazi invasion force, including thousands of 
German paratroopers and glider troops began landing on Crete. 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?''
  During the 11-day invasion of Crete, more than 6,000 German troopers 
were listed as killed, wounded, or missing in action. The losses to the 
elite seventh parachute division marked the end of the German 
military's large-scale airborne operations.
  This valiant fight by the Cretan people began in the first hour of 
the Nazi airborne invasion while other underground movements did not 
begin until a year or more after being invaded.
  Young boys, old men, and women displayed breathtaking bravery in 
defending Crete. Because German soldiers were not accustomed to facing 
women in battle, they would tear the dress from the shoulders of 
suspected Cretan women to find bruises from the recoil of the rifle. 
The penalty was death. On July 28, 1941, The Times (London) reported 
that ``five hundred Cretan women have been deported to Germany for 
taking part in the defense of their native island.''
  The German soldiers who invaded Crete also faced 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.
  This struggle became an example for all Europe to follow in defying 
German occupation and aggression.
  The Cretans paid a heavy price for their valiant resistance to Nazi 
forces with thousands of civilians executed, starved, or imprisoned. 
The Germans burned and destroyed entire communities as a reprisal for 
the Cretan resistance movement. Yet this resistance lasted for 4 years.
  The Battle of Crete changed history by 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 subzero 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.
  We must always remember and honor this significant battle and the 
heroic drive of the Cretan people. Democracy came from Greece, and the 
Cretan heroes exemplified the courage it takes to preserve it.
  To honor these heroes, I have introduced H. Res. 148, which 
recognizes and appreciates the historical significance and the heroic 
human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II 
and commends the PanCretan Association of America.
  Today, the courage and fortitude of the Cretan people are seen in the 
members of the United Cretan Associations of New York which are located 
in Astoria, Queens.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the United 
States, Greece, and the diaspora.

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