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Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 388, 28 May 1991, Page 4

^•C RE TE^^J A Tribute from New Zealano^ Waiouru's Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum presents a special exhibition to jg mark the 50th anniversary of the fight to defend Crete against the German invasion. "The fight tohold Crete was the hardest and mostsavage campaign of the New Zealand ^31$ Divisioninthe'Second World War. Fiftyyears after, wereturnto honour our dead. Their ^ jT deeds are not forgotten and we remember with gratitude the gallantry and self-sacrifice of " ' the Greek Nation and the people of Crete." The Right Honourable Jim Bolger, Prime Minister ofNew Zealand. In February 1941 the Greek Government accepted an offer from its British counterpart to send an expeditionary force to assist in the defence of the birthplace of democracy. A force of 62,600 men, including 16,700 New Zealanders, was deployed to Greece during March ' ''' and early April 1941 . On 20 May the Germans launched Operation Mercury, the invasion . f of Crete. By 31 May the evacuation of Allied troops was stopped. ^ SSST MStat Marwick "Our people make the difference" SpBlf ^ The puipose of the An^ Mu^um is to prese^ herrtage ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum, L__ State Highway One, Waiouru. Phone (0658) 56 234.