The story of the abduction, in 1944 from Crete, of General Kreipe, and of "In the footsteps of heroes", two expeditions in Crete remembering and honouring both the Greek and British heroes involved in the original         operation -a project inspired by a reading of the account, Ill Met by Moonlight,  written By William Stanley Moss. Please bear in mind, for reasons that will become clear, that the website is a 'work in progress'

Seeking Information 2 

SPANISH REPUBLICANS IN CRETE

Maria, a relative of some Spanish republicans, has contacted me to see if I may be able to help her with information about the Spanish Republicans who fought in Crete during the war.

The request reminded me that it was time I re-read Anthony Beevor's ' Crete The Battle and the Resistance' for I had no recollection of these fighters from memory alone.

There are brief references in Beevor to the effect that these people fought in George Young's battalion and were left behind at Spakia with many others when they were advised to say that, when they were taken prisoner, they were from  Gibraltar and not Spain. Further enquiries with Anthony Beevor reveal that these fighters had paybooks that indicated they were from Gibraltar as any recognition of their true nationality would lead to almost certain death back in Spain.

If anyone out there has any knowledge about these fighters, Maria, and I, would be most grateful to hear about anything that you might be able to add.

Many Thanks

Tim

2nd March 2009