New Zealanders and Australians took part in the unveiling of a monument dedicated to Australians, New Zealanders and Maori who fought at Tsikalaria, Crete, on May 27, 1941. Their heroic World War II battle, known as the Battle of 42nd Street, began on May 20 when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete. A week later, the British and Commonwealth forces defending the island were forced to withdraw towards Canea where a force of understrength Australian and New Zealand infantry battalions established a defensive line along the Hania to Tsikalaria road south-east of Kanae. As the German battalion advanced towards the road, the Anzac defenders carried out a bayonet charge that caused heavy casualties on German attackers.
The haka dance is a traditional war cry or challenge from the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. The posture dance was performed at the ceremony on Crete as a memorial of the heroic battle that took place there. In a coming together of cultures, the residents of Chania were impressed by the traditional Maori dance.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
