Most Australians know about the Anzacs of World War I but how many know about the Anzacs of World War II?
According to author Dina Gerolymou and Cretan Association of Sydney members, the Anzacs of World War II are still largely unrecognised in their own countries but are commemorated every year in Crete and other parts of Greece.
‘‘The Australia and New Zealand Army Corps were formed for the second — and last time — for the Greek campaign in 1941,’’ Ms Gerolymou said.
‘‘Most of them never received any medals or recognition from their own countries.’’
They fought a short, vicious campaign against German paratroopers who were determined to take Crete.
Although the Germans won in the end, they suffered heavy losses — as did the Anzacs and the remnants of the Greek army with whom they were fighting.
Close to 1700 Australians and New Zealanders are buried in Greece; 250 of them on Crete.
The campaign was said to have produced the highest number of prisoners of war.
Ms Gerolymou, who lives in Melbourne, has made amends for the lapses of history.
She has collected the stories of about 70 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in the Greek campaign and compiled them in a book: The Battle of Crete: The Untold Stories.
The book was launched in front of 200 people on Monday, May 18, at Kogarah Library.
Kogarah was chosen because it has a supportive council and a large Greek community.
Alf Carpenter, one of a handful of the Greek campaign Anzacs still alive, came from Newcastle for the event.
See more at: http://www.kogarah.nsw.gov.au/
