83 years have passed since the Heroic Battle of Crete in 1941, a battle that remains a symbol of struggle, courage, self-sacrifice, heroism and determination for the prevalence of the ideals of freedom and Democracy.
In 1991, as part of the events for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete, believing that the historical luster should be preserved unextinguished, the Naval Museum of Crete made available a large part of its space, taking, at the same time, the initiative to create an exhibition about the Battle of Crete, until the completion of the memorial complex in the area of Galata Chania. The exhibition grows year by year with important donations and memorabilia, as a result of which hard memories are brought to life but also the historical memory remains indelible, bringing to light new unknown historical events. At the same time, it brings to life the vision of a new world born with new perspectives and values, which we created with the reconciliation of peoples, in order to ensure the highest good, that is, peace and freedom.
The Battle of Crete during World War II (1939-1945), a war that ravaged humanity for six years (although some wars had taken place earlier) and during which a large number of people from both camps he lost his life. France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union (and Greece) essentially forming the old Entente (Allied Powers) allied themselves against mainly the Germans and Italians (Axis Powers). The Italians, initially, in October 1940, tried to conquer Greece, but the Greeks successfully managed to defend themselves. The result was not the same, however, when Germany attacked Greece a few months later.
Operation “MERCURY” and the situation in the Gulf of Souda
Many times some new perspectives for historical research and study are created by chance events, such as a simple visit to a museum. A few months ago, descendants of the family of the shipowner Stefanos Vergotis visited our Museum and through the discussion a particularly interesting story came to light, which took place during the attempts to occupy Crete by the German forces (May 20-31, 1941) . During these days, the commercial steamship of the family “S/S ROKOS” (photo 1) was found anchored in the port of Souda with a cargo of coal and tires, which was on a route from Calcutta to Europe through Suez Canal.
The anchorage of the ship in the bay of Souda with a multitude of other war and commercial ships (photo 2), justifies in the best possible way, why Crete was the burning desire of both the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. The British Navy had lined up under the instructions of Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham to prevent the German invasion of the island and on the other hand Hitler tried and finally captured the island by air, sending his elite corps “Einsatzgruppen ” (photo 3: ring with a skull worn only by the elite of the German army. Exhibit of the N.M.K. collection).
Two members of the Vergotis family, during their visit to our place, provided us with useful information, concerning the events of those days, from German Archives of the period, but also from the Lloyd’s Register’s records in London. With this information it becomes clear that the “S/S ROKOS” in 1931 was sold to the company of Georgios Vergotis in Argostoli Kefalonia and was named Rokos, named after the Father of Georgios Vergotis, captain and also ship owner, known as Rokos (Charalambos). From 1935 onwards, the ship-owning company was “Ionion Steamship Co Ltd.” based in Argostoli. Between the 13th and 14th of May ROKOS passed through the Suez Canal and on the 23rd of the month anchored in the Gulf of Souda. During the anchoring of the ship, they were charred by ROKOS, ships that were in the port of Souda.
Βy the start of Operation “Mercury” on May 20, 1941, German “Luftwaffe” planes began bombing, with the main recipient being the warships of the Royal British Navy. Among others, the “S/S ROKOS” was damaged and ran aground by the bombings. Stefanos Vergotis, had fled with his large family from Athens to Crete awaiting the arrival of the ROKOS that would transport them to Egypt (because his wife was British). By order of Stefanos, part of the cargo and provisions of the stranded ROKOS were distributed to the residents of Chania. ROKOS remained aground in Souda and, according to Lloyd’s Register records, in September 1944 was towed by the Germans to Piraeus for scrapping.
Two Italian explosive motor boats of the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) were hit in Souda Bay and ran aground on the “HMS YORK 90”, whose flag is housed in our Museum (photo 4).
Formation conditions of the company “HERMIS”
The period from April 6 to 30, 1941 was enough for the Germans to occupy Greece, except for the island of Crete, which was the only Greek territory that remained, even for a while, free. The occupation of Crete served the war plans of the Germans in the Mediterranean as well as the attack on Russia that followed. The strategic value of Crete has been known since ancient times. The island is located in the middle of the Eastern Mediterranean, forming the physical part of the Gibraltar-Malta-Cyprus-Syria line, with the control of which alone it was possible to carry out during the Second World War through the Suez Canal to Great Britain transport from Australia and India, sources of supply and vice versa from Great Britain to the Middle East as well as transport for the need of the conducted business. The importance of Crete prompted on the one hand its occupation by the Germans at all costs, but also on the other hand its decisive defense by the allies.
Greece, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand joined their forces to protect the island, creating a strong naval cordon on the northern axis of Crete, which was an important obstacle to the arrival of the Germans by sea. The decisive defense of the allied forces essentially forced Adolf Hitler to issue the “74th War Directive” on April 25, 1941, with which he informed his staff of the implementation of Operation “HERMES”, attempting to capture Crete from the air . On Tuesday, May 20, 1941, the attack of the German paratroopers took place, as German “Luftwaffe” planes took off from Kalamata airport heading for Crete.
At 6.15 am the first paratroopers landed in Chania, at 2.30 pm in Rethymno and at 3.40 pm in Heraklion. Before the paratroopers were dropped, there was heavy bombing by German aircraft of the cities of Crete, the ports and airports of Maleme, Pigi Rethymno and Heraklion. The bombing of selected targets in Crete had started since the beginning of May. Finally, it is worth emphasizing the fact that, in addition to the participation of the warships, the contribution of the merchant navy was also notable, with enormous losses.
The Battle of Crete has always been an example of unparalleled courage and self-sacrifice for the protection of humanitarian and national ideals, but also a great commemoration of all those who lost their lives fighting. We hope that similar conditions will not arise again for the good of humanity.
Indicative bibliography:
Kalogerakis Georgios A., Historical Pages, from the Battle of Crete and the abduction of General Kraipe, vol. 1, Self-publishing, Heraklion, 2022.
Kurowski Franz, Der Kampf um Kreta, Efstathiadis Group, Athens, 1998.
Mathiopoulos Vassos P., Images of Occupation, Hermes Publications, Athens, 2006.
Palazzo Albert, Battle of Crete, Army History Unit, Canberra, 2007.
Simpson Tony, Operation Mercury, The battle for Crete, 1941, Hodder and Stoughton, London.
Written by: Dimitrios A. Tsatsaronis, Graduate Historian U.C., Maritime Museum of Crete
Edt.: Emmanuel I. Petrakis, Commodore (Eng.) HN ret., Chairman of the Maritimi Museum of Crete