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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.
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OFF SITE LINKS The War Graves Photographic Project |
The following people make up the "In The Footsteps of Heroes" Team
*Chris Paul (Expedition Leader) – London
based lawyer, with a interest in military history. Chris is a keen
expeditionary and was part of the 2006 team that traced the wartime route of
Jan Baalsrud on his wartime escape across the mountains of
*Alun Davies (Food and Accommodation)
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South Wales based businessman in who had a full career as an infantry
officer in the British Army and has lived and work all over the world. He has
had a life long interest in the mountains and has been on countless
expeditions to the Alps as well as
Mike Wright (Navigator) – Mike is
ex-British Army and lives in
*John Ellis Roberts (Safety and Route
Planning) – John is past Head Warden of
John Andre (Ground Support) – John
is ex-British Army (having run the
Nick Frankioudakis (Cretan Military
Liaison)
- Nick is a serving NCO in the Greek Army, and is an experienced
jumpmaster and combat diver/swimmer. His involvement has been arranged by
Lt.Col T. Kitsos of the Greek Embassy in London, following an approach made
earlier this year. Not only is Nick a Cretan (reflecting the joint
Cretan/British nature of the original team), but he will also help the team to
be able to speak to locals en route. Nicks presence with the team is also
through the generous cooperation and assistance of the Officer
Commanding 1 MAL Crete and others from his unit.
Jonathan Huston (Photographer and
Navigator) - Jonathan is a successful Australian-based businessman, who is
also ex-Forces. He has an active interest in military history and also enjoys
trekking, having recently covered Mt Kilimanjaro, lower Andes, Mt
Kinabulu (Borneo) and Pico Aneto (Spanish Pyrenees).
Artemis Cooper (Team Diarist) –
Artemis is a British writer who is currently working on the official biography
of Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor DSO OBE. Her books include
*Tim Todd (Historical Researcher) – Tim is a retired Police
Inspector who devoted considerable efforts to the research of the wartime
events on
The team would not have been able to undertake the expedition without considerable prior help and information from many who have added to the knowledge of the original operation. The level of interest and help, from all corners of the world, has been outstanding. In time I hope to generate a list that will give due acknowledgement to all concerned, for the moment I offer my sincere thanks for all your contributions. Through the invaluable help and assistance of Lt Col T Kitsos, Greek Embassy London, the team in Crete were accompanied throughout by Nick Frankioudakis whose contribution was immense. Nick's colleagues Major Kostakis and Nick Troulakis also met and assisted the team on numerous occasions. Paddy Leigh Fermor told us to put our trust in the Greeks, Theodore Kitsos told me that his people would not let us down, both were so right! Thank you. *Denotes a member of the 2005 team that traced the route from the abduction point at Archanes to Rhodakino - see http://www.explorecrete.com/history/kreipe-Anogia.htm |