KING OF GREECE PRAISES N.Z. TROOPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 123, 27 May 1941, Page 8

KING OF GREECE PRAISES N.Z. TROOPS

ESCAPE FROM CRETE Three Days' Epic Journey Over Wild Country N.Z.E.F. Official News Service. CAIRO, May 26. In an epic journey over the mountains of Crete to the sea—more than three days climbing and watching— a party of New Zealanders had the high honour of escorting the King of Greece and his party to ultimate safety. The party, which consisted of men of one of tne first battalions to leave New Zealand, was under the command of Lieutenant W. H. Ryan.

The splendid manner in which the New Zcalanders performed their duty in the face of such trying conditions drew from the King the highest of praise. Guiding the safety of the Koyal entourage was Colonel J. S. Blunt, military attache to the British Legation in Greece, while working from the coastal end in an ultimately successful endeavour to contact the party, was MajorGeneral T. G. Hey wood, head of the British Military Mission to the Greek Arm v.

The Royal party, with its New Zealand escort, left, the residence of the Greek Prime Minister in southwest Cunea on the morning of May 20. King George had just vacated his own residence in time. With him

was his cousin. Prince Peter. Above them countless bombers and Messerschmitt.s were sweeping and machine-gunning, while a hundred parachutists were floating to earth. Luckily the King's party was not observed, and they headed inland. Aircraft were racing over the King's residence, which occupied a commanding position. Trying Climb of 1500 Feet The first climb of 1500 feet proved trying, the planes coming so close that Prince Peter once remarked on seeing the rear gunner of one of them quite plainly. The King and most of the civilians in the party wore walking boots, which made climbing difficult.

That evening a party was sent back under the command of a sergeant to reconnoitre the house, and to find if it was possible to obtain some of the King's luggage. Thev discovered that the Germans had taken the place over. A short action followed, our men withdrawing and collecting the Greek Prime Minister, M. Tsouderos, who had an amazing escape.

The following three days were a weary sequence of climbing and walking, with little to eat and not much extra covering at nights. It was their magnificent bearing under these conditions, the "humping" of their automatic army tommy guns and 200 rounds of ammunition per man over the mountains, through gorges and on their feet all the way, which elicited the high commendation of the King. N\Z. Troops Behave Splendidly In an interview,' Colonel Blunt said: "These New Zealand troops, who not long before -had returned from Grcece, where they had been fighting-hard bli the time^andJ>een<as

far north as Servia. behaved splendidly. They had very little to eat. yet they took to climbing easily. In fact, 1 heard one New Zealander state: "If they start a mountaineers' corps in New Zealand, well. 1 should get a commission.' At least two of them had been wounded, but no one fell out."

Seven thousand feet above sea level, at the top of Crete's highest mountain, the party slept for a night outside a shepherd's hut after having made a scanty meal of bread, goat's milk and cheese. The King helped the menu by producing a tin of "and V" rations from his haversack. The following morning a start was made on the clamber down to the coast and safety—if everything worked all right. In the latter part of the afternoon they met two mules and a small reinforcing escort, which was sent to meet them by MajorGeneral Hey wood, with whom telephone communfcation had been indirectly established after great difficulty.

Eventually they reached the coast where Major-General Hey wood was waiting. He said he suddenly saw a very tired escort of New Zeaianders, their feet dragging and the King riding with them on a muie and smiling cheerfully. The party had made the journey right across the island, over some of the most difficult country imaginable. That night they lay on the beach, watching and hoping—hoping that the first to see them would be friend,, and not enemies. >

Major-General Hey wood had reached the rendezvous in a caique (sailing vessel) and had arranged for the rescuing ship to remain meantime ten miles down the coast so as not to arouse suspicion. Shortly after midnight a light showed out at sea. and Major - General Hevwood replied with a torch. There was no reply for some time. Then the light flared again, this time nearer. In a quandary, not knowing whether it was friend or foe. Major-General Heywood at last decided to send a caique out to explore. About two o clock he heard it returning. In case of possible trouble, he placed the New Zealanders in two echelons ready to meet whatever might eventuate. However, all was wen, and the whole party was taken off to the waiting ship in four relays. eventually clearing the island at four a.m.

Lieutenant Ryan, who was in charge of the platoon which escorted the King of Greece to safety, is an Aucklander aged about 27. ' Before enlisting he was employed by the Public Works Department surveying aerodromes in different parts of the Dominion. He was amongst the first to enlist at the outbreak of war and went overseas with the main body as a sergeant, having refused to remain behind in order to sit for a commission.

Lieutenant Ryan gained his commission on the field, after which he acted as instructor in Egypt for officers arriving with later, drafts from New Zealand. He went to Greece and came through the whole campaign, subsequently being evacuated to Crete. He is regarded as a highly efficient officer, is great lv respected by his men and is' most popular for his unassuming personality among brother officers His mother resides in Auckland