ESCAPE FROM GREECE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 46, 9 February 1943, Page 5

ESCAPE FROM GREECE

LOCAL MAN'S EXPERIENCES ELEVEN IN A BOAT -FOURTEEN DAYS AT SEA Something of the trials and that befell men of the New Zealand Division who, missing the general evacuation from Greece, two> years ago were left to their own devices, was » "learnt from Pte Haroldl Whiite--man, who is now home again after being woundted in the Second Libyan campaign. Pte Whiteman. was one, of the eleven Kiwis who made their escape from Greece 1 n a native fishing smack and landed safely in •Crete after an exciting voyage -of fourteen diays. With the party was Gordon Howat of Whakatane who afeo landed safely at -Sudfa Bay. Pte Whiteman was -also one of the last to see Jack Dodunski also of these parts before he was taken prisoner. When a little group of New Zea"landers found themselves completely isolated at a place called Kalamata, they decided, to make for the ; sea to contact the Navy. They were < only el event in number and owing to the Jerry "planes who were 111 - * chine gunning, everybody and anything they proceeded care-fully tak- . ing full advantage of shelter. They had. lost, contact cwiilli their brigade -and it Avas every man for himself. -At midnight Avhen it Avas safe to traA r el thej* struck a railway line • and could not agree upon Avhicli direction to take. Jack Dodunski find another man Avent one Avay and the other seA'en in ithe. opposite direction. That -Avas the last they saAV of Jack, learning later of course that he was prisoner of Avar. Night in Monastry " Harold Whiteman and Gordon HoAvat ■with their party pushed, on until they came to a Greek monastry, the abbot of AA'hich receiA r ec|, them courteously and provided them Avith ac--commodation andi food. Next morning he directed, them to a town which they made for. Tavo old Greek ladies next found them and ransacked their shop in -giving them supplies. Tliey also proAaded the parly Avith a guide. Tavo more days traA r el brought them •close to the German area of occupation and. their guide told them they Avould have to change their 'uniform lor civilian "clothing as it was too dangerous to proceed as they AA'ere. Thfc guide escorted them to the coast Avhere lie 1 said arrangements had been made for a boat to .pick them up. The boat lioAvever failed to materialise. Fishing Boat Purchased Next they approached a group of who regarded them suspiciously until they produced notes for 1000 drachma and offered >to buy •their craft. The transaction completed no time Avas lost in crossing the bay to a headland Avhere thfcy pickled up tAvo .more Ncav Zealande.rs. A council of AAar decided that they -would only travel by night, laying aip and sleeping during the day. Thus they proceeded doAvn the coasu. Greece Avith a crazy sail asisted \Vith oar-poAver. Good progress Avas -Wade for several days the Greeks keeping them supplied Avith food at all the points they called. German Naval Cutter Ihe last night off the mainland they had a scare. When about to "round a headland a naval cutter flying the Swastika sign cut across their boAvs. Fortunately their luck held for the fast lijttle craft made •after another boat closer in and alloAvecl (them to alter direction and make for a neighbouring island offshore. A stiff half gale' had sprung up by this time and it Avas a casq -of moving from island to island until the last long sail 1 to Crete. The islanders Avere again all uniformly kind and. gave them food and -clothing, though they themselves were singularly poor., On one island they met a native Avho had lived in Australia and Ncav Zealand and -gave them a great reception. He. was abopt to escort them to a nearly town when it Avas learnt that 200 'Jerries' had landed there that morning. Chased Through Islands No time; was lost in taking ,to the ■tooat again and making for the open .sea, A Hun "plane became interested in them at this juncture and -circled close to them. Those in uniform however remained under cover •while those in Greek clothing proceeded to handle the sail and look

sailorlike. Their actions apparently deceived (the airman who left them alone and Hew back to. the mainland. Lighthouse Keeper's Kindness A German, motor boat next, hove in sight so their little craft was held in the lee of a largei rock and apparently escaped detection. Next call was at a Greek lighthouse on the last of the islands offshore. The keeper provided them with a good meal and more provisions. The weather had been, stormy and it became necessary to renew the mast Avhich had been broken by the force of the wind before leaving for the long trip to Crete. This done however they made their farewells and scit, sail before. a spanking breeze. They made Crete, just as day was breaking and decided to> land at a little deserted bay. 'However as 110 one was about they spent a short time sleeping in the boat. Suitfa Bay at Last The trip was resumed along the Cretan coast until they suddenly made Suda Bay which was then occupied by a Tommy Division and exhibited every sign of feverish military activity. The Tommies gave the wanderers a great welcome and they were glad to once again slied their Greek clothes for army uniforms and proceed to their units. Naturally they were marked men in their own brigade and we're made to give the story of their adventures over and over again.