CRETE EVACUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24630, 11 June 1941, Page 5

CRETE EVACUATION

BRITISH NAVAL LOSSES CRUISER AND DESTROYERS HEAVY ENEMY AIR ATTACKS RUGBY, June 9. The navy was responsible tor the successful evacuation of over 17.000 British and Imperial troops from Crete during the recent operations. These operations, which naturally have not been conducted without loss, are well described by an Admiralty comm.mque announcing the loss of the anti-air-craft cruiser . Calcutta and th j destroyers Hereward and Imperia:. The communique says: "'Hereward was last seen heading towards the coast after having been damaged by an enemy air attack. The Italian riign Command has announced that 229 survivors from Hereward were landed and are prisoners of war. Imperial had to be sunk by our forces auer being damaged by enemy air attack. " The withdrawal of the troops from Crete had to be carried out from places with inadequate port facilities, which were within easy reach of the enemy forc.es. The necessity for carrying out the embarkations by night meant that each load of men had to be taken 360 miles to Egypt during the whole 14 hours of daylight. These voyages were carried out in the face of extremely heavy enemy air attack. In the circumstances it is impossible to assess With accuracy the damage inflicted on ensmy aircraft by anti-aircraft gunfire, but it is known that many were destroyed and others damaged. "Naval aircraft during the operations also shot down four enemy planes and probably destroyed one other,and damaged three. ..." "During the withdrawal from Suds Bay, Royal Marines formed the rearguard. These men, who had been carrying out various duties as well as manning the defences, were hastily formed into an infantry brigade under Major-general C. Weston, of the Royal Marines. They fought with great gallantry and proved themselves worthy of the highest tradition of the corps; It v is known that a number of thii brigade had to be left on Crete." The following message was sent from General Sir Archibald Wavell to General Weston on the night of May 31:— •' You know the heroic effort the Royal Navy has made to rescue you. I hope you will be able to get away most of those who remain, but this is the last night the navy can come. Please tell those that have .to be left that the fight put up against such odds has won the admiration of us all, and that every effort to bring them back is being made. General Freyberg has told me how magnificently your marines have fought and of your own grand work. I have also heard of the heroic, fight of the young Greek soldiers. I send you all my grateful thanks."