The courageous
deeds of Australians in Crete during World War II were remembered
today at a ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in
Melbourne, to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, laid a
wreath in memory of the Australian service personnel killed
in the heroic but unsuccessful campaign to resist a German
invasion of Greece and Crete.
"Today we
remember the tenacity and bravery of the more than 17,000
Australians who fought alongside New Zealand forces under
the Anzac Corps umbrella, in defence of the Greeks and Cretans
during World War II," Mr Billson said. "After a
determined Allied campaign on mainland Greece in April 1941
that lasted less than a month, many of the Allied forces withdrew
to the island of Crete. "Three weeks later, the Germans
invaded Crete, but the Allies put up a gallant fight, inflicting
heavy losses on German forces. However, the sustained onslaught
by the enemy was such that the Allies were forced to withdraw
and evacuate the island.
"The Royal Australian Navy played a critical role in
the evacuation of Australian and Allied troops from Greece
and Crete, although many who were unable to be taken off the
island became POWs. "More than 590 Australians who served
in Greece and Crete died in action, more than 1000 were wounded
and some 5000 were taken prisoner. Crete was liberated on
28 May 1945.
"In 2001,
the Australian Government constructed the Hellenic-Australian
Memorial in Rethymno, Crete, to acknowledge the contribution
of Australians in the Greece and Crete campaign. "The
Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand is to be commended
for its role in ensuring the service and sacrifice of those
who fought in Greece and Crete was not forgotten. "The
65th anniversary of the Battle of Crete is a milestone in
our wartime history that reminds us of the great sacrifices
made by Australian servicemen and women in wars, conflicts
and peace operations around the world," Mr Billson said.