Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online. This successful expedition across Crete in April 2008 was used as a fundraising opportunity for the Army Benvolent Fund - please read on.
The expedition, which included 3 former officers of the British Army has just returned from a successful Greek Odyssey in which they followed the footsteps of some wartime heros who were SOE officers and Greek partisans.
On 4 April 1944, William (Billy) Stanley Moss, accompanied by Cretans including Manolis Paterakis and George Tyrakis, were secretly landed at night on the south coast of Crete near Tsoustsouros. They were met by Patrick (Paddy) Leigh Fermor who had parachuted into Crete two months beforehand
The SOE band had come together to pull off an audacious operation that was later to be described as one of the most daring exploits of WW 2, to capture the German Commander General Kreipe and to spirit him off the island to Cairo. This year the expedition slept under the same olive trees and in the same remote caves that the original party used.
Kreipe was abducted on 26th April 1944 as he was being driven from his office in Ano Archanes to his residence at Villa Ariadne, just outside of Heraklion. He was bundled into the back of his car which was then driven off by Billy Moss with Paddy Leigh Fermor posing as the General at his side. Weeks later, after avoiding many German search parties, the party was evacuated from a beach on the south coast of Crete. Both Leigh Fermor and Moss were awarded immediate DSOs on their triumphant return to Cairo.
Paddy Leigh Fermor – now Sir Paddy – is 92 and lives in the Peleponese. He kindly gave his support to this expedition and supplied his original maps used during the abduction.
The party included Artemis Cooper, who is the biographer of Leigh Fermor, who walked part of the route through the mountains and slept in a cave. Her husband Anthony Beevor wrote the authorative “Fall of Crete” which chronicles most accurately the German air invasion and the subsequent defeat of the allies.
Alun and his friends followed this route to celebrate the heroism of the original band of British officers and Greek partisans. He hopes to raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund which is the primary charity of the British Army. This charity cares for the needs of serving soldiers, as well as veterans, and their families. The current level of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has increased the work of this charity immensely and your contributions to this worthy cause are very much appreciated.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Army Benevolent Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. If you can donate on line please do so as it is simpler than sending a cheque in the post.
I am very grateful to you for your support - Good wishes
Alun
