H.Res. 290House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commending the PanCretan Association of America.

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Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 19, 2005

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 19, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 19, 2005

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Res. 290 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Carolyn B. MaloneyD-NY-14 · May 24, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. This historic battle contributed to the Allies' victory of World War II. On May 20, 1941, thousands of German…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

This historic battle contributed to the Allies' victory of World War II. On May 20, 1941, thousands of German paratroopers and gliders began landing on Crete. Both the Allies and Nazis wanted Crete because of Its strategic location as part of the lifeline to India and Its proximity to both Palestine and Egypt. At that time the British controlled the island.

The Nazi invasion force included the elite German paratroopers and glider troops. Hitler felt this was to be easy victory, yet he is quoted to have said shortly after the invasion, ``France fell in 8 days. Why is Crete free?''

During the 11-day Invasion of Crete, more than 6,000 German troopers were listed as killed, wounded, or missing in action. The losses to the elite 7th parachute division marked the end of the German Military's large-scale airborne operations.

This valiant fight by the Cretan people began in the first hour of the Nazi airborne invasion while other underground movements did not begin until a year or more after being invaded.

Young boys, old men, and women displayed breath taking bravery in defending Crete. Because German soldiers were not accustomed to facing women in battle, they would tear the dress from the shoulders of suspected Cretan women to find bruises from the recoil of the rifle. The penalty was death. On July 28, 1941, The Times (London) reported that ``five hundred Cretan women have been deported to Germany for taking part in the defense of their native island.''

Another surprise for the German soldiers who invaded Crete was the heroic resistance of the clergy. A priest leading his parishioners into battle was not what the Germans anticipated. At Paleochora, Father Stylianos Frantzeskis, hearing of the German airborne Invasion, rushed to his church, sounded the bell, took his rifle and marched his volunteers toward Maleme.

This struggle became an example for all Europe to follow in defying German occupation and aggression.

The Cretans paid a steep price for their valiant resistance to Nazi forces with thousands of civilians executed, starved, or imprisoned. The Germans burned and destroyed entire communities as a reprisal for the Cretan resistance movement. Yet this resistance lasted for 4 years.

The Battle of Crete changed history by delaying Hitler's plan to invade Russia. The invasion was delayed from April to June of 1941.

The 2-month delay in the invasion made Hitler's forces face the Russian winter.

The Russian snowstorms and the sub zero temperatures eventually stalled the Nazi invasion before they could take Moscow or Leningrad. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Nazi reign of terror.

We must always remember and honor this significant battle and the heroic drive of the Cretan people. Democracy came from Greece, and the Cretan heroes exemplified the courage it takes to preserve it.

To honor these heroes, I have introduced H. Res. 290, which recognizes and appreciates the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commends the PanCretan Association of America.

Today, the courage and fortitude of the Cretan people are seen in the members of the United Cretan Associations of New York which are located in Astoria, Queens.

I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cretans in the United States, Greece, and the diaspora.

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 19, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 290

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 19, 2005

Mrs. Maloney (for herself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Payne, Mr. Foley, Ms. Norton, Ms. Watson, Mr. Crowley, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commending the PanCretan Association of America.

Whereas 2005 marks the 64th anniversary of the heroic Battle of Crete, which took place on the Greek island of Crete during World War II between Nazi German forces and the people of Crete assisted by the Allied armies;

Whereas the people of Crete fought tenaciously during the Battle of Crete, delaying for two months the Nazi German invasion of Russia;

Whereas this delay forced Nazi German forces to invade Russia in the face of the brutal Russian winter, changing the final outcome of World War II and leading to the defeat of fascism;

Whereas many historians agree that the Battle of Crete was one of the most significant battles of World War II;

Whereas the Battle of Crete contributed to saving the free world from Nazi German occupation, thus preserving democracy, freedom, and human dignity;

Whereas the Cretan Resistance Movement was organized to fight the Nazi German occupation of the island of Crete;

Whereas for 4 years, the Cretan Resistance Movement inflicted heavy casualties upon Nazi German forces, including kidnaping a heavily-guarded Nazi German General, setting an example for all of the people of Europe to follow;

Whereas the people of Crete suffered savage reprisals for their heroic resistance when the Nazi German invaders randomly executed thousands of civilians and burned and destroyed entire communities;

Whereas many participants in the Battle of Crete and the Cretan Resistance Movement later emigrated to the United States and became American citizens; and

Whereas many of these citizens became members of the PanCretan Association of America, an organization comprised of Greek Americans with ancestry from the island of Crete and committed to preserving and promoting the rich culture and proud history of Crete: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—

(1)

observes the memory of the fallen heroes of the Battle of Crete;

(2)

honors the living men and women of Crete who, during World War II, fought an oppressive invader to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of happiness; and

(3)

commends the PanCretan Association of America for preserving and promoting the history of Crete and its people.