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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I

401 — Letter from the convicts of the island of Crete to General Freyberg, General Officer Commanding, Allied Troops in Crete

401
Letter from the convicts of the island of Crete to General Freyberg, General Officer Commanding, Allied Troops in Crete

c. May 1941

Sir

Most unfortunately our dearest Greece succumbed to the higher forces of the Hitlerian regime and the Italian barbarism. Fortunately, however, our island, thanks to its powerful ally, is still free, and she will not only resist against any invader but will in time take up the offensive and free our defenceless Greece.

page 295

Every soul in Crete is looking with confidence towards you, our firm allies, and also towards our King and his National Government.

We, too, the convicts, look towards you with gratefulness and hope for the future of our nation, and kindly ask you to stand by our King and Government so that they will take care of us when we get out of prison and see that we also do our little bit in winning this sacred struggle of ours for people's liberty, which is put under the darkness of tyranny.

We whole-heartedly put ourselves under any service, dangerous or not, provided that the cause of our Allied effort is fulfilled.

Trusting that we shall enjoy your proper attention.

We remain,

Respectfully yours,

The convicts of the island of Crete