Identity Card for Johannes Petrakis.  On the left of the form you can see his fingerprints.  The translation of the section in the middle is;

A ......... was overwhelming Crete.  Was it just that the sun was disappearing beyond the rugged mountains that had, for the past 10 days witnessed the gradual erosion of their ...... by the invading the German paratroopers, or was the emptiness that filled the air, that environment that was among the long lines of weary men who stood waiting on the battle scarred beach hopefully awaiting transport to the ship silhouetted on the horizon.  

They knew that minutes were precious, and that some must yet see another sunrise on the island that they had fought so hard to save.  Many must have felt that, after all, this was as the German propaganda claimed -- their Island of Doom when they saw the whole.  This of the ships turn away and gradually diminish into the night.  

Their commanding officer, call them together and explained that the ships would not be coming back and that the High Command have ordered them [presumably the men] to destroy all arms and surrender, without resistance, to the Nazi troops.  

Among the ill-fated men there were four who decided to make a last bid for freedom.  As they separated from the crowd, there one thought was to survey the coastline and to locate a boat.  Each realized how media had their chances were, especially as some had had previous experience with sailing or navigating, however.  Knowing this could be their only means of escape, they decided to risk the sea rather than undergo the humiliation of imprisonment.  

As they picked their way through the rocks, the stench of death hung all around like some permeating fog.  It was not until some several hundred yards had been covered before they began to breathe pure air -- already a sense of freedom prevailed.  

The conversation which until now had been rather meaningless, became more exhilarated, for on rounding a cliff.  They cited the small village nestling in a cove.  Hopes were raised, as they perceived to boats on the shore.  Their pace quickened, as they realized that yet their hopes may be fulfilled if one were seaworthy.  

As dawn was approaching, they had to make a rapid decision with what little knowledge they had, before they were discovered by Germans or Greeks.  The one chosen was apparently seaworthy, it was a 20 feature fishing caique, with masts, capable of mounting sails.  Feverishly working against time they pushed it into deeper water and rowed it to a well concealed inlet, which fortunately he was nearby -- the task had barely been completed before daybreak.  

The next step was to obtain the cooperation of the villagers.  Water and food was essential, its future used to remain obscure -- inability to speak the language presented another problem.  

On entering a village.  They were met with looks of both welcome and fear.  Prospects were beginning to fade when they heard an encouraging word, which sounded to them like a greeting.  On turning they could not help being amused by the attire of the Speaker, and elderly bearded Cretan.  He wore a "petsika" or bandanna, around his unruly hair, a double-breasted embroidered waistcoat of bluish colour, black bag in knee length "brakas" held up by a long dull red sash wound around his waist and knee high boots.  He looked dirty in appearance, that kind heart, and he was evidently the media of the village by rubbing vest onyx in a seesaw motion before men intimated that they needed food.  The old Cretan appeared to understand.  Consequently, it was not long before they left the village fully provisioned.  

It was agreed that, after preparing unloading the boat, they parted to keep a strict watch over the domain, reassembling at night fall.  

It was dark and movers.  When next they met, only one specifically watching it would have observed them slipping away.  Not a word was spoken for fear that at this stage, they would be apprehended.  As the minutes past uneventfully.  The tension eased as their straining backs rowed in further from the shore, but there was no time for rest and the one thought in every mind was to put as much water between themselves and the island before daybreak.  Soon after midnight, the gentle breeze allowing use of the sails, which they managed to hoist with much difficulty, David tired men relief.  

It was only then that they allowed their minds to wander back to their comrades, now languishing in the prison camps.  It seemed too good to be true that the first and most difficult part of their escape had been accomplished.  

Geoff Brown, who from the outset, was deemed as the leader immediately set about dividing the four into two shifts, two to watch the course, whilst the others gain a little respite.  He realized that now, their only enemies were to be a quiescent wind or a patrolling Nazi plane, which would either strafe them or radio back to have Stukas attack them in force.  

The African coast was so extensive that he knew it was impossible to miss it, for handy, not only prior to the battle of Crete, learnt that the allies had formed a line 150 miles southwest of Benghazi.  

He grimaced as his mind wandered back over the first campaign in which he had participated in Libya.  He remembered the exuberant feeling of victory as he, with the others of his Company had so utterly defeated the Italians, but the lines on his forehead deepened as he compared that campaign with the one from which he had just emerged, had they not fought just as skillfully, and with the same brilliant leaders to guide them, why was it then that the second Dunkirk had to be staged?  It gradually dawned on him.  The advantage the Nazis had over them, thousands of planes, well-equipped men, men who had everything from saccharin tablets and compasses, two Lugers and automatic guns compared with the Britisher, who, if he was fortunate, had a bandolier and the rifle.  Funny, he had never thought of it before, the fact that the Hun had such an advantage.  Even then the whole show was an organized withdrawal such was his pride.  

[Alternative words: had they not fought just as skillfully, and with the same brilliant leadership?  Why was it then that a second Dunkirk had to be staged?  Yes -- the same old cry -- material, equipment, men. The Nazis, dropping from the sky shielded by hundreds of planes, Nazis equipped with everything from saccharin tablets and compasses two Lugers and automatic guns, compared with the Britisher, who, if he was lucky, had a bandolier slung across his shoulder and the rifle in his hands. Someday, he mused, when we meet again -- perhaps it will be a little while.  But we will bring you to your senses, beating the mercy.  Just as he did to the Italians.]

The Dawn, the most crucial period, had been with them for just an hour, it seemed longer, as now all for men were alert. This was the time that any plane, with a friend or foe, patrolman island base.  

Brown suggested that the sails be taken down so that apart from the gentle heaving, the boat would remain motionless.  He realized that there was a chance the boat may be passed, particularly if the plane was to be at high altitude.  Minutes dragged by, the men sat middling at bread and tolerance unconsciously tossing the stones into the water silently lapping against the Hull.  Their muscles tensed as expected, Roman reached areas, it was not possible to define whether it was the unsynchronized beat of the Nazi or the  even tempo let forth by the British planes.  It gradually grew louder and by the manner in which the fall looked at one another.  It became evident that the aircraft would be carrying the black swastika, that dreaded cross, which had overrun numerous countries, caring death and destruction before it, not only to the Armed Forces in which it contacted but to terrified civilians and innocent unsuspecting children.  Soon they could see the silhouette of a twin-engine bomber against the grayish Stratus clouds, it was traveling towards them.  But some distance astern.  Perhaps, after all, with no building sails or foam in wake to help disclose their position, they may be missed or even if seen, they may be mistaken for fishermen.  The too familiar sight of Junkers sped by apparently unconcerned by their presence, was it the good fortune to survive what seemed to be the last hazard, it seemed certain when they saw the black dot gradually disappear without altering its course in.  No time was wasted relisting the sails and then soon they were traveling slowly towards Africa and freedom.  Three days are past, days of monotony, hunger and the expectancy of what would lie over the horizon.  Apart from the droning of aircraft, the journey had been uneventful, they had been fortunate that the women provide held otherwise with their diet of only bread.  Once the detested old is, they would have been in a very weak state