Description

“1941 Plain stampless envelope carelessly opened on back with part back flap gone complete with letter to Pte. J.H. Brunette 4447, A.S.C., 2nd N.Z.E.F. Overseas, c/o Wellington N.Z. from Capt. P. Brunette 42362, 7th Field Ambulance, 8th Brigade, B Force, N.Z.E.F. cancelled circular N.Z.E.F. / FIELD / POST OFFICE & with violet framed CENSORED signed L.S. Talbot, Major. Blue crayon Missing & Hold, Hold is deleted together with address panel, unframed blue MISSING handstamp & on reverse NOT 2/N.Z.E.F. MIDDLE EAST & RETURN TO SENDER….A remarkable item with extraordinary content “”Reading the Casualty list here today I saw your name listed as “”Missing in Crete”” & “” I am at present in Fiji but do not expect to be here long”” , “”Am acting as Surgeon at the Military Hospital & getting a fair amount of work to do””………………. German paratroopers landed Crete in May 1941. While suffering many casualties by the end of the month, German soldiers had once again overwhelmed British and Commonwealth forces. An evacuation to Egypt from the island, without its heavy weapons & transport took place with forces landing in Alexandria in June. During the Battle for Crete, 671 New Zealanders were killed, 967 wounded and 2,180 captured, others sources figures differ. For a good history of the Battle of Crete see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_New_Zealand_Division#Battle_of_Crete “