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I'm on holiday in Crete at the moment and today was an ideal opportunity to visit the 30 & 33 Sqdn memorial at Maleme. I am pleased to report that it is well maintained & simple but fitting tribute to the lost.
For those that are not aware, today marks the 81st anniversary of the start of the German invasion of the island. Heralded by continuous bombing raids, the decision was taken to fly off the aircraft & aircrew to Egypt leaving the ground crew behind. They found themselves caught in an assault on the airfield by battle- hardened & well rested German paratroopers facing equally hardened but battle weary NZ forces missing much of their heavier equipment. The RAF personnel with few infantry skills or equipment stood little chance and some 50 of them lost their lives in just 2 days.
Per ardua ad astra
For those that are not aware, today marks the 81st anniversary of the start of the German invasion of the island. Heralded by continuous bombing raids, the decision was taken to fly off the aircraft & aircrew to Egypt leaving the ground crew behind. They found themselves caught in an assault on the airfield by battle- hardened & well rested German paratroopers facing equally hardened but battle weary NZ forces missing much of their heavier equipment. The RAF personnel with few infantry skills or equipment stood little chance and some 50 of them lost their lives in just 2 days.
Per ardua ad astra
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