New Zealander Private Landman (In Memoriam)
Private B. G. Landman, aged 18, was one of the 680 soldiers from New Zealand killed during the Battle of Crete, in May 1941.
German paratroopers and glider-born troops invated on May 20 the Mediterranean island, that was defended by Allied troops (principally New Zealanders, Australians, British and Greeks) as well as Cretan civilian volunteers. After a 11-day long epic battle, the Allies were forced to withdraw.
During the fierce fighting, the German casualties included at least 4,200 killed and 2,600 wounded, while the Allies lost 4,360 dead, 2,900 wounded and 17,600 POWs (including Greek military troops). About 600 Cretan civilians were killed fighting as partisans, and more than 5,000 were shot by the Germans in reprisals, both during the battle and in the 4-year long occupation that followed.
New Zealander Private Landman (In Memoriam) belongs to the following groups:
Amazing Graves, European Everyday Life (add the place!), History, Public Art, Requiem and Statues and Such
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