The Germans, during the Occupation, proved to be equal, if not "superior" to their Gothic ancestors in the "art" of killing innocents. In Greece they caused huge disasters and bloodshed cities and villages throughout the country. The murders started early, from the first months of the occupation. Crete, due to the heroic resistance of its inhabitants during the battle for the conquest of the island, paid a heavy price in blood, as retaliation from the German conquerors.
"In October 1941, a German military detachment led by an officer surrounded the village of Chania region, Chrystomanthon. He called all the inhabitants to gather in the village square, and those gathered were almost women and children.
-Where are the men of the village? asked the commanding officer.
- Only a few remained, they answered him.
-I need 25 men. I want them to be young and healthy between 18 and 42.
- Only 16 men of these ages were found. The German officer counted them and said.
- There are not enough of them and therefore I change the age limit from 16-55 years.
"But again, only 23 men of these ages were found, and in order to complete the number, a 15-year-old child and an old man were added. The Germans surrounded them and suddenly, at the signal of the German officer, the machine guns destroyed the few men who were left in the village.
"During 1941 in the village of Kyrtomados in Crete, Ioannis Forakis and Koutsogiannakis, wounded during the execution of the Germans, were buried alive, and one of the two had his mouth filled with earth so that he would not bleed. Their relatives were obliged to provide a meal for the execution squad.
"During 1941, in the village of Gerani, Rethymno, 25 residents were subjected to horrible torture, then they were forced to dig their own graves before their execution. They were blamed for not reporting citizens who took part in the battle of Crete.
"In June 1942, in the village of Moires Kynouria, Crete, Teacher Papadakis was executed by the Germans, among others for a national action. This respondent, if he has a last wish, he said. "Yes, I want to say something to my companions who will go on the journey together…………" and turning to the soon-to-be-dead Cretans he said, "for 30 years I taught you the national Anthem. Today we will have the last lesson together guys……….” they all sang the National Anthem, cheered in favor of Greece and the allies and fell in favor of Freedom".
The above is recorded in the Greek archives of the time. So that we don't forget.