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New Zealand PoWs killed in a/c accident at Crete
The following two New Zealand soldiers are officially recorded, respectively,
as having ‘died on Active Service while POW. Aircraft Accident. Crete at sea’
and
‘believed to have been killed in a German plane which was shot down while evacuating severely wounded prisoners to Greece’.
30058 Pte Hadyn Rowland OPPATT, NZ Infantry (22Bn) – Age 30.
6065 Lt William George SLADE, NZ Infantry (22Bn) – Age 33.
Oppatt is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, while Slade is buried at the Suda Bay War Cemetery. Date of death for each is recorded as 23 May 1941.
A long shot, I know, but wonder if any German records survive which might confirm the date and aircraft (Ju 52/3ms?) involved.
With thanks in advance for any assistance forthcoming.
Errol
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