Party Of New Zealanders Escorted Greek King

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1941, Page 2

Party Of New Zealanders Escorted Greek King

(Received 1 p.m.) . LONDON, May 26. FURTHER DETAILS OF KING GEORGE’S ESCAPE FROM CRETE ARE GIVEN BY THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL NEWS SERVICE FROM CAIRO. The correspondent states: 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 the first battalions to leave New Zealand, was under the command of Lieut. W. IT. Ryan.

• The splendid manner in which the New Zealanders performed their duty in the face of such trying conditions, drew from the King the highest of praise.

Guiding the Royal entourage was the Military Attache to the British Legation in Greece (Col. J. S. Blunt), while working from the coastal end in an ultimately successful endeavour to contact the party, was the head of the British Military Mission in Greece (Major-General T. G. Hey wood). The Royal party, with the New Zealand escorts, left the residence of the Greek Prime Minister south-west of Canea, on the morning of May 20. Just In Time King George had just' vacated his own residence in time. With him was his cousin, Prince Peter.

Above them countless bombers and Messerschmitts were machine-gunning while hundreds of parachutists were floating to earth. Luckily the King’s party was not observed, and they headed inland. Aircraft was racing over the King’s residence, which occupied a ing position. A very hot climb of 1500 ft proved trying, with the planes coming very close. The King and most of the civilians in the party were walking, which made difficult climbing. Three Weary Days That evening a party was sent back under the command of a sergeant to reconnoitre the house to find it it was possible to obtain some of the King’s luggage. It was discovered that the Germans had taken the place over. A short action followed, our men withdrawing and collecting the Greek Prime Minister, who had an amazing escape.

The following three days were a weary sequence of climbing and walking, with very little to eat, and not much extra covering at nights. 'y It was their magnificent bearing under these conditions, “humping” their automatic army tommy guns and 200 rounds of ammunition per man over mountains and through gorges on their feet all the way, which elicited the high commendation of the King. New Zealanders’ Fine Performance In an interview, Colonel Blunt said: “These New Zealand troops, who had not long before returned from Greece, where they had been lighting hard all the time, and had been as far north as Servia, behaved splendidly. They had very little to eat, and yet took to climbing easily. In fact, I heard one New Zealander state: ‘lf they start a mountaineers’ corps in New Zealand, well, I should get a commission.’ At least two of the men 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 the night outside a shepherd’s hut, and, after having made a meal of bread and goat’s milk and cheese, the King helped the menu by producing a tin of rations from his haversack.

The following morning a start was made on the climb down to Vie coast and safety—if everything worked all right. In the latter pai't of the afternoon, they met two mules and a small reinforcing escort which had been sent to meet them by General Heywood, with whom telephone communication had been indirectly established after great difficulty. Eventually they reached the coast, where General Heywood was waiting. He said he suddenly saw a very tired escort of New Zeaelanders, their feet dragging, and the King riding with them on a mule, smiling cheerfully. Anxiety On The Beach

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 friends, not enemies.

General Heywood had reached the rendezvous in a caique, and had arranged for a rescuing ship to remain in the meantime 10 miles down the coast, so as not to arouse suspicion. Shortly after midnight a light showed out at sea. General Heywood replied with a torch. There was no reply for some time and then the light flared again, this time nearer. In a quandary, not knowing whether it was a friend or foe, General Heywood at last decided to send a boat out to explore. At about 2 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 well, and the whole party was taken off to the waiting ship in four relays, and eventually cleared the island at 4 a.m.

Mercantile Marine Badge Seamen serving in New Zealand registered ships of the Merchant Navy are to be issued with a distinctive badge which has been approved by the Government. This advice has been received from the Minister for Defence by Sir Ernest Davis, an associate member of the New Zealand Company of Mariners, who made representations on behalf of the company that such a badge should be issued. The badge is silver and consists of the letters M.N. surmounted by a crown. The badge has been on issue to seamen in the United Kingdom and Australian registered ships for some time, and its adoption by the New Zealand Government will be welcomed by the men of the New Zealand Merchant Navy, who, although engaged in dangerous war work, have had nothing to distinguish them from civilians when ashote.