Author(s): Megan Hutching (Editor); New Zealand, Ministry for Culture and Heritage History Group Staff (Contribution by); Ian McGibbon (Editor)

Second World War

Of all the Second World War battles in which New Zealand troops fought, the Battle of Crete was perhaps the most dramatic. For 12 days in May 1941, a mixed force of New Zealand, Australian, British and Greek soldiers tried desperately to prevent the island falling to the Germans, who invaded in spectacular fashion, parachuting in on the morning of 20 May.

The defenders were hopelessly ill-equipped, having abandoned most of their heavy weapons and transport during the retreat from Greece. When the authorities finally realised the island was going to fall, they ordered the evacuation of thousands of soldiers.

For many, this was the beginning of another battle â for survival. A Unique Sort of Battle contains the stories of fifteen New Zealanders who describe in their own words their experiences on Crete during this testing time. Many recall the chilling sight of German paratroopers dropping from the sky, the scream of the dive-bombing Stukas, and the loss of life on both sides during the fighting that followed. As one private said, 'It was a wee bit different to rabbit shooting.'

The soldiers recount the ordeal of trekking over the mountains once orders to abandon the island had been issued, a gruelling journey with little food, water or shelter. Those who were fortunate enough to be evacuated recall the relief of getting on to a ship, while a seaman involved in the rescue operation tells of the nerve-racking run through Bomb Alley. The men who remained on the island recount their struggle to stay hidden in the hills, the support of the Cretan people and their experiences as prisoners of war.

Together with Ian McGibbon's insightful overview of the battle, these personal stories offer a unique perspective of one of the most intense, concentrated periods of fighting in the Second World War. They stand testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the New Zealanders who fought for their country in that vast conflict.