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An important collection of photos and documents, from a senior…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
5-Sep-2011
Lot No.
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Description:
An important collection of photos and documents, from a senior Nco of the New Zealand petrol Company at Crete New Zealand petrol Company were in the thick of most of the fighting in Crete, these items belonged to staff Sergeant (Warrant Officer) Les Williams – wounded three times – and a veteran of Egypt, Crete and Italy. He was one of the heroes of Galatas and pink Hill-Crete, where he was wounded in the stomach and elbow, the 6 day defence of pink Hill by a small number of NZers against a force of elite German paratroopers enabled the New Zealand division to regroup and withdraw and saved numerous lives. Les Williams is detailed on the pink Hill website www.battleofpinkhill.org.nz over the six days from Tuesday 20 May to Sunday 25 May 1941 the paratroopers of 3.Fallschirmjagerregiment, from their base in the Agia Prison, launched a series of sustained attacks on pink Hill. Although pounded by the Luftwaffe, who had total air supremacy, each attack was repulsed by the defenders. Documents include: His photo album of the war, various lose photos, discharge certificate, service record, a pencil portrait done in Florence, various reunion documents (he returned to Crete in 1991), three videos including one where Williams is being interviewed concerning Crete, various transcripts of interviews with Williams, the petrol Corp were, according to one interview with Williams, the first in action in Italy in 1940, the photographs number about 1and commence with his training in New Zealand and follow him to Egypt, Crete and Italy, there are also a couple of reunion photos. Historically this is important as it is an undisturbed collection for a senior survivor of this small service unit which literally ended up fighting for their survival on Crete. In one interview transcript Williams is describing these photographs to the interviewer. He also refers to German photos (some are included). He States that he found corpses with cameras and developed the film. Leslie John Williams was born in Wellington on 19 June 1912. He trained as a motor engineer and enlisted 3 September 1939. He embarked with 2 Divisional petrol Company on 5 January 1940. He returned to New Zealand on furlough and was married. His roles included maintaining General Freyburg’s vehicle. He served in north Africa/Libya, Egypt, Crete, Tunisia and Italy. He was wounded three times but survived the war, being discharged 4 July 1945
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified