Crete Evacuation Ship
The motor-vessel Comliebank which is now at the Queen's Wharf . Wellington, played an important pjart in assisting to evacuate New Zealand troops from Crete in 1941. Her pas&engers during that period were members -of the 6th Brigqde pf the 2nd New Zealand pivision,^ smd few pf them will ever fcrget the^ unccmfortable three days jthey spent while the vessel carried them to safety in Egypt. The 6th Brigad'e fought rearguard actions practically to the southernmost tip pf Greece, and was then hastily svacuated aboard H.M.S. Ajax. The Cruiser carried them to Suda Bay, Orete, where they expected to stay and take part in the defence of the isla-d. However, the day before the German pqratroop landings began the brigade received orders to go to Egypt and take part in the defence pf the Suez Canal. where an attack was expected. The only available ships were the Thurlind Castle and the Comliebank, a.nd it was aboard these that the troops embarked. Neither of these , ships could be. considered fqst qnd as the Comliebank eould only raise about 10 feibts she was a cqmparatively easy ferget for submarines or surfaee craft. . .
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHRONL19470114.2.17
Bibliographic details
Chronicle (Levin), 14 January 1947, Page 4
Word Count
192Crete Evacuation Ship Chronicle (Levin), 14 January 1947, Page 4
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