At least two Kiwi veterans of the German invasion of the island in May 1941, now in their 90s, wanted to attend but could not afford the trip, Battle of Crete Association president Deirdre Hauschild said.
She has written to the Government seeking a grant of $5000 for all of the veterans travelling to Crete. “We owe it to these men,” Ms Hauschild said.
The general manager of Veterans’ Affairs, Rick Ottaway, said his organisation had contributed to the travel plans of four Kiwi veterans with one-off grants of $2000. “We treat all veterans equally,” he said.
He understood some of the veterans seeking financial aid had received earlier $2000 grants for other trips.
Ms Hauschild said the payout policy should allow for exceptional circumstances. “This will be their last chance of visiting the sites where so many were wounded, taken prisoner or paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
For 12 days from May 20, 1941, Cretan civilians helped by New Zealand, British, Australian and Greek troops, battled against an airborne assault by German paratroops. A total of 671 Kiwis died and about a further 2000 were taken prisoner.
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Australia’s Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, will officially represent the New Zealand and Australian governments at the anniversary celebrations.
There are also plans for Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins to hold a function for Crete veterans at Parliament on May 20.
(source: The Dominion Post)
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