Heroes and Heroines of the Second World War in Crete
The author acknowledges that there were many unsung heroes and heroines on the island of Crete who participated in activities associated with the Resistance. It is not possible to tell all the stories of these individuals on my small website. But here are a few important men and one woman who resisted their German occupiers and lived to share their photographs, memories, and memorabilia with you, now. Their children are passing these precious stories on to you.
We are grateful for the courage, sacrifices, and contributions of these exceptional individuals.
May their Memories Be Eternal.
The first of these brave Cretan Americans is George Papadakis. Here is a brief synopsis of his involvement with the “Underground”, or Resistance, in Crete.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Maxine Papadakis
George A. Papadakis was born in Chania, Crete in 1912, the second of four siblings (Mary, George, Andrew, Anna). After graduating with a business degree from St. Mark’s College in Alexandria, Egypt, he quickly rose through the ranks of the agricultural bank and oversaw three bank branches in Crete. During WWII, George used his administrative position to help supply food to the starving Greeks on the mainland and to serve in the underground.
George became a liaison officer between the British and the Italian forces, putting his knowledge of multiple languages (English, Italian, French, Arabic, and Greek) to good use. George’s family summer home in Agios Matheos was used as a headquarters for the British troops, who insisted a large Union Jack fly over the house, making it an early target for the German air raids. The house was demolished but was built back by George and his sibs after the war.
George’s clandestine work with the underground ultimately led the German forces to list George as one of the most wanted men on the island of Crete. George was ultimately captured by the occupying forces and was scheduled to be executed in the morning. Fortunately, the night before, the underground successfully gathered coins and bought off the guards where George was held, and he was whisked to safety to Egypt.
In 1948, George came to the University of California, Berkeley, as a graduate student. He then immigrated to the United States and married Christina Kiriakedis in 1950. They had two children (Maxine (born in 1951) and Anthony (born in 1955).
The next individual was a woman, recently deceased, named Alexandra Vasilomanolakis. The information below was written by her son.
Obituary for Alexandra Basil Vasilomanolakis
Alexandra Vasilomanolakis, aka Basil passed away just ten days before her 99th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and unwavering love for her family, heritage, and faith. Born in Crete, Greece, in 1926, she lived a life marked by extraordinary courage, generosity, and devotion to those around her.
Her parents were John and Aglaia Polichronakis. John was a coal miner who survived the devastating Castlegate mining disaster in Utah, and Aglaia, a woman of immense kindness. Alexandra’s early years were split between the United States and Greece. She came to Pennsylvania when she was 6 months old. Her exceptional intellect led to her being double-promoted three times in school. In 1939, her family settled permanently in Crete, just as World War II loomed over Europe.
During the war, her family’s fluency in English made them invaluable to the Allied forces, particularly the ANZAC (Australian-New Zealand) soldiers stranded in Crete. As the Germans invaded, her family risked their lives to aid the British Commonwealth underground, hiding and feeding escaping soldiers in the caves in the hills. She would carry large bags of food to her father in the field to take to the soldiers in the caves. Several times she was stopped by German soldiers inquiring where so much food was going. She would tell them it was for her father and his workers in the fields. After the Germans settled into Crete, communication between the occupying forces and the villagers was challenging, as the Germans did not speak Greek and the locals did not speak German. However, since many of the German soldiers spoke English, Alexandra and her father became critical translators, facilitating communication between the occupiers and the occupied. Their ability to translate made them highly respected figures within the village and amongst the German personnel, and, at times, served as a protective buffer between the two sides. Their courage and linguistic skills played a vital role during those tumultuous years. Their efforts for aiding the ANZAC soldiers were later recognized with a special commendation from the British government and H.R. Alexander, British Commander of the Mediterranean Forces
After enduring the hardships of war, Alexandra and her family returned to the United States, eventually settling in Chicago. There, she met her husband, Costas, an engineer in the merchant marines and survivor of 2 ship sinkings. They married in 1950 and built a loving home for their two children, Mike and Joanne. Alexandra was a devoted mother, known for her exceptional culinary skills, warm hospitality, and generous spirit. Her home was a haven for family and friends, always filled with delicious food and heartfelt laughter.
Beyond her home life, Alexandra was a respected member of the community. She was president of the Cretan Ladies Organization in Chicago and a leader in her cultural and social circles. Later in life, after raising her children, she pursued a career as a Cosmetologist, excelling in her trade.
In 1981, she and Costas moved to Modesto, California, while their son, Mike, moved to Los Angeles to complete his training in cardiology. Their daughter, Joanne, had moved several years earlier to Oakland, where she was married and attended dental school.
Several years later, Costas suffered a stroke, and Alexandra became his devoted caregiver, attending to his every need until his passing in 1986. Her dedication was nothing short of saintly, as she ensured he was cared for with dignity and love, and made sure he went out for a ride every day to keep his spirits up.
Even in widowhood, she remained independent and active, building a home in her beloved Crete and traveling there in her wheelchair each year until 2019, well into her 90s. She embraced life with an unyielding spirit, maintaining her sharp intellect, humor, and passion for her Cretan roots. She read two newspapers daily, cooked daily, and continued to share her wisdom with those around her. She enjoyed cooking Kalitsounia, a Cretan delicacy, which brought many from far to enjoy
At the age of 96, she was preparing for yet another journey to Greece when an unfortunate accident led to a long and difficult medical battle. Despite her struggles, she remained resilient and alert, demonstrating the same strength that had defined her entire life. She passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of her devoted family.
Though she had no siblings, she was deeply connected to her extended family, cherishing her many first cousins and maintaining lifelong friendships. She lived to see nearly all of her peers pass before her, yet she never lost her warmth, wisdom, or ability to inspire those around her.
Alexandra was a woman of immense faith, deeply devoted to God and St. Nektarios. She carried herself with grace, never speaking ill of anyone, and always offering sage advice. She would end all conversations by giving her blessings to those she spoke to. She would frequently quote Cretan mandinades, poetic sayings, in her conversations. Her youthful spirit, generosity, and unwavering love for others made her an inspiration to all who knew her.
She is survived by her beloved son, Mike (Niki) Vasilomanolakis, and her gracious and ever-caring daughter, Joanne Lagos. She also leaves behind her cherished granddaughter, Nectaria (Jeremy) Lovejoy along with her joyful great-grandchildren, Jack and Demi as well as her dear and beloved grandson, Costas (Stephanie) Vasilomanolakis
Alexandra was truly an extraordinary Christian woman. We were blessed having her in our lives and she will be dearly missed.
Alexandra’s daughter, Dr. Joanne Lagos, provided the following information.
(The news clippings below are in the Greek language. They describe Alexandra’s activities during the war, feeding forty ANZAC soldiers, and the recognition she received for her courageous involvement in the Resistance.)
It is the New Zealand Maori battalion that put the Cloak of Honor on my mother.
A cloak that usually gets put onto their Chiefs. Over a period of several days during the 70th anniversary they would put it on her every time they saw her.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Joanne Lagos
The third person in this series was overlooked by the author in her historical fiction novel, Time Pencils. Lola still feels badly about this oversight and seeks forgiveness from his family. Here is a synopsis of the military life of a brave American soldier involved with the Office of Strategic Services, Lieutenant James (Jim, or Dimitri) Simvoulakis.
All photos and information provided with the generous spirit of Greg Simvoulakis
The following information was derived from a paper written by his great niece, Gina Pallios.
Dimitri the Shepherd
My great uncle, James G. Simvoulakis, was born on July 26, 1918 in Reliance, Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming majoring in Geology in 1940 and two years later joined the military on May 4, 1942. Using a letter from the military, a letter to his wife Penny Pallios, a book, and part of a biography, historians can relate him to American history during World War II. James Simvoulakis was connected to history as a first generation Cretan-American that became a spy, prosecutor, and judge for the U.S and OSS during WWII and participated in many missions to help the allies win against the Nazis.
The first documents are letters sent to Simvoulakis by Brigadier General P.L. Sadler (U.S Army) to congratulate him on a successful mission to aid Crete. These letters reveal how he helped in the relief of Greece as an American Spy during WWII. He visited Crete twice, the first time surveying the island before traveling back to Cairo, Egypt (an army base) by boat, and the second to spy on German forces in Chania, Crete. These letters are primary sources created on the 13th and 19th of May 1945 after the Germans surrendered to the Western allies (May 7th), near the war’s end. The first letter awards him for his hard work in Crete and the others were sent to Brigadier General P.L Sadler and the General Commander Land Forces Greece Ronald M. Scobie to praise the Military Liaison. The Military Liaison aided the then impoverished country of Greece to what they had hoped to be on the path to a prosperous future; little did they know Greece would be in an economic decline later on during a Civil War. Using this document we can see how many different nations, Greece, Britain, and America, joined forces to removed Nazi’s from Greece and protected the citizens living there. In addition, we can see where the authors of the letters were stationed as they noted on the top of each letter. However, for security purposes, they did not state the specific locations they were based in with the exception of the first document,
which identified the Balkans. What cannot be seen in the documents is how they aided Greece in their missions. With all the information given, these three documents are a good source of historical evidence as they provided information on how Britain and America worked with Greece to aid the country and the plans for other organizations (UNRRA) taking over the relief of the people of Greece.
The second document is a letter sent by Simvoulakis to my Great-Aunt Penny Pallios (then his fiancé) back in Modesto, California. They were engaged for 3 years while he was in the military and they sent letters to each other frequently. The letter tells historians of his life in Salzburg, Austria as a Judge for the United States Army. The letter is a primary document written on the 24th of July 1945. In this letter, he tells Penny about his new promotion from criminal prosecutor to Judge in Salzburg for the United States Army (for one year) and asks her various questions about life back in Modesto. In his position in Austria, he could not call or send a telegraph back home so letters were his only connection to the family in America and to learn about developments in their lives. From this document we can learn that in the justice system the cases are checked twice, once by the Judge and again by their superiors. This is to ensure that the accused receives a just sentence and that the judges are good for the job. In addition we can see the effects of the war in the people at home when Penny asks Jim if she can use the parachute (the one he used to get onto Crete) to make things out of. His mother was also considering going to the canning factory, a common job for women to go into during this time. Lastly, on the envelope, we can see that all mail coming from soldiers were “passed by censor”, meaning they were checked before they could be sent to make sure no one gave out military secrets. What we cannot see responses of the questions Simvoulakis sent. This is a good source of historical evidence because it shows both the civilian and military life in one letter between a couple. Not only does it reveal struggles of average citizens in Modesto during the war, but it also shows military protocols as well (as higher ranking officers double check judgments in court).
The fourth document is a book written by G.C Kiriakopoulos called The Nazi Occupation of Crete 1941-1945. This book connects Simvoulakis to history by showing his role as a spy for the O.S.S. This book was published in 1995 to tell the story of a man named John Alexander. However, the book also reveals one of Simvoulakis’s missions as well since he went back to Crete with Alexander. The book is important because it tells of his second mission to Crete as he disguised himself as a sheepherder to conceal his true identity of an American soldier so he could transmit German movements from Crete to his contact in Cairo, Egypt. Whenever he went to the village in Fres, he brought sheep with him, thus the people began to refer to him as Dimitri the Shepherd. The book reveals that, after he found abandoned sentry posts on major crossroads, the Germans were sending all their troops to Chania and had to immediately inform his contacts in Cairo that night. It also tells the story of meeting his Yiayia (grandmother) in the Village. He saw her but wasn’t allowed to tell her who he really was as it would have put both of them in danger of being discovered by the Gestapo. What we cannot see in this document is what year/time he was there or for how long. We also cannot see other sections of the book about him because this is only a small portion of his story. This document is a good source of historical evidence as there are portions that explain German movements and political turmoil in Crete, such as an attack that occurred between the Greek People’s Libertarian Army (ELAS) communists and conservative National Organization of Crete (EOK).
Jim’s wife Penny, for whom the jeep was named, had this to say about her husband:
“Jim and I began corresponding and soon after a proposal of marriage ensued. As tradition has it, he also sent a letter to my father, asking permission to marry his daughter. In September 1943 a proxy engagement was held with is father, George Simvoulakis, acting as Jim’s stand-in. The engagement was for three years, as our plans for a wedding upon his graduation were postponed as he was immediately sent to Egypt in 1944 for active duty.
Jim was assigned as an officer in the Office of Strategic Services where he worked with British Intelligence. He was sent to Crete, Greece, twice. The first time, he parachuted into the hills of Crete, buried his chute and explored the entire island before returning to Egypt by boat. Later, he returned to Crete by PT boat and after landing on the rocky shores, he was met by a band of guerilla fighters. Bearded and looking like a local shepherd, he traveled on a donkey while carrying a radio set in a satchel which enabled him to get messages to his camp, reporting the various movements of the German army.
Jim, working with Mr. Petrakogeorgis’s guerilla band, played an important part in the defeat of the Germans in Crete.”
Andarte leaders George Petrakis with Michael Xilouris, 1944
“During his time in Crete, Jim had observed his grandmother Simvoulakis as she picked olives and worked in her garden, but he could not let her know of his identity. One evening, he went to her house, and after greeting her, she prepared a chicken dinner”
(author’s note: Greg said that she killed the chicken that had been providing eggs for her.)
From The Nazi Occupation of Crete, 1941-1945, by G. C. Kiriakopoulos:
“In the village of Fres, not far from Vaphe, and several miles inland from the main highway that led into Khania, First Lieutenant James Simvoulakis, the OSS officer who had returned to Crete…had set up his radio transmitter in a sheepfold high in the mountain above that village.
He had arrived in Fres dressed in the mangy, dirty garments of a mountain sheepherder. Along the way, he had purchased a flock of sheep to better disguise the real purpose of his presence in the area…. All the villagers soon got to know him and referred to him as “Dimitri the Shepherd…
During his trips into Fres, Simvoulakis often paused at a white, austere, stone house on the outer rim of the village and asked its occupant for food. The white-haired old lady who lived in that house was at first suspicious of this raggedy-looking visitor, for he could have been a Gestapo informant. What softened her attitude was that her mongrel dog never barked or snarled at him, but rather greeted him playfully. That fact impressed her.”
To maintain the safety of his grandmother, Jim did not reveal his identity to her at the time. He did, however, return to visit his Yiayia in his army uniform after the retreat of the German army.
Heroes and Heroines
Heroes and Heroines of the Second World War in Crete
The author acknowledges that there were many unsung heroes and heroines on the island of Crete who participated in activities associated with the Resistance. It is not possible to tell all the stories of these individuals on my small website. But here are a few important men and one woman who resisted their German occupiers and lived to share their photographs, memories, and memorabilia with you, now. Their children are passing these precious stories on to you.
We are grateful for the courage, sacrifices, and contributions of these exceptional individuals.
May their Memories Be Eternal.
The first of these brave Cretan Americans is George Papadakis. Here is a brief synopsis of his involvement with the “Underground”, or Resistance, in Crete.
George A. Papadakis was born in Chania, Crete in 1912, the second of four siblings (Mary, George, Andrew, Anna). After graduating with a business degree from St. Mark’s College in Alexandria, Egypt, he quickly rose through the ranks of the agricultural bank and oversaw three bank branches in Crete. During WWII, George used his administrative position to help supply food to the starving Greeks on the mainland and to serve in the underground.
George became a liaison officer between the British and the Italian forces, putting his knowledge of multiple languages (English, Italian, French, Arabic, and Greek) to good use. George’s family summer home in Agios Matheos was used as a headquarters for the British troops, who insisted a large Union Jack fly over the house, making it an early target for the German air raids. The house was demolished but was built back by George and his sibs after the war.
George’s clandestine work with the underground ultimately led the German forces to list George as one of the most wanted men on the island of Crete. George was ultimately captured by the occupying forces and was scheduled to be executed in the morning. Fortunately, the night before, the underground successfully gathered coins and bought off the guards where George was held, and he was whisked to safety to Egypt.
In 1948, George came to the University of California, Berkeley, as a graduate student. He then immigrated to the United States and married Christina Kiriakedis in 1950. They had two children (Maxine (born in 1951) and Anthony (born in 1955).
The next individual was a woman, recently deceased, named Alexandra Vasilomanolakis. The information below was written by her son.
Obituary for Alexandra Basil Vasilomanolakis
Alexandra Vasilomanolakis, aka Basil passed away just ten days before her 99th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and unwavering love for her family, heritage, and faith. Born in Crete, Greece, in 1926, she lived a life marked by extraordinary courage, generosity, and devotion to those around her.
Her parents were John and Aglaia Polichronakis. John was a coal miner who survived the devastating Castlegate mining disaster in Utah, and Aglaia, a woman of immense kindness. Alexandra’s early years were split between the United States and Greece. She came to Pennsylvania when she was 6 months old. Her exceptional intellect led to her being double-promoted three times in school. In 1939, her family settled permanently in Crete, just as World War II loomed over Europe.
During the war, her family’s fluency in English made them invaluable to the Allied forces, particularly the ANZAC (Australian-New Zealand) soldiers stranded in Crete. As the Germans invaded, her family risked their lives to aid the British Commonwealth underground, hiding and feeding escaping soldiers in the caves in the hills. She would carry large bags of food to her father in the field to take to the soldiers in the caves. Several times she was stopped by German soldiers inquiring where so much food was going. She would tell them it was for her father and his workers in the fields. After the Germans settled into Crete, communication between the occupying forces and the villagers was challenging, as the Germans did not speak Greek and the locals did not speak German. However, since many of the German soldiers spoke English, Alexandra and her father became critical translators, facilitating communication between the occupiers and the occupied. Their ability to translate made them highly respected figures within the village and amongst the German personnel, and, at times, served as a protective buffer between the two sides. Their courage and linguistic skills played a vital role during those tumultuous years. Their efforts for aiding the ANZAC soldiers were later recognized with a special commendation from the British government and H.R. Alexander, British Commander of the Mediterranean Forces
After enduring the hardships of war, Alexandra and her family returned to the United States, eventually settling in Chicago. There, she met her husband, Costas, an engineer in the merchant marines and survivor of 2 ship sinkings. They married in 1950 and built a loving home for their two children, Mike and Joanne. Alexandra was a devoted mother, known for her exceptional culinary skills, warm hospitality, and generous spirit. Her home was a haven for family and friends, always filled with delicious food and heartfelt laughter.
Beyond her home life, Alexandra was a respected member of the community. She was president of the Cretan Ladies Organization in Chicago and a leader in her cultural and social circles. Later in life, after raising her children, she pursued a career as a Cosmetologist, excelling in her trade.
In 1981, she and Costas moved to Modesto, California, while their son, Mike, moved to Los Angeles to complete his training in cardiology. Their daughter, Joanne, had moved several years earlier to Oakland, where she was married and attended dental school.
Several years later, Costas suffered a stroke, and Alexandra became his devoted caregiver, attending to his every need until his passing in 1986. Her dedication was nothing short of saintly, as she ensured he was cared for with dignity and love, and made sure he went out for a ride every day to keep his spirits up.
Even in widowhood, she remained independent and active, building a home in her beloved Crete and traveling there in her wheelchair each year until 2019, well into her 90s. She embraced life with an unyielding spirit, maintaining her sharp intellect, humor, and passion for her Cretan roots. She read two newspapers daily, cooked daily, and continued to share her wisdom with those around her. She enjoyed cooking Kalitsounia, a Cretan delicacy, which brought many from far to enjoy
At the age of 96, she was preparing for yet another journey to Greece when an unfortunate accident led to a long and difficult medical battle. Despite her struggles, she remained resilient and alert, demonstrating the same strength that had defined her entire life. She passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of her devoted family.
Though she had no siblings, she was deeply connected to her extended family, cherishing her many first cousins and maintaining lifelong friendships. She lived to see nearly all of her peers pass before her, yet she never lost her warmth, wisdom, or ability to inspire those around her.
Alexandra was a woman of immense faith, deeply devoted to God and St. Nektarios. She carried herself with grace, never speaking ill of anyone, and always offering sage advice. She would end all conversations by giving her blessings to those she spoke to. She would frequently quote Cretan mandinades, poetic sayings, in her conversations. Her youthful spirit, generosity, and unwavering love for others made her an inspiration to all who knew her.
She is survived by her beloved son, Mike (Niki) Vasilomanolakis, and her gracious and ever-caring daughter, Joanne Lagos. She also leaves behind her cherished granddaughter, Nectaria (Jeremy) Lovejoy along with her joyful great-grandchildren, Jack and Demi as well as her dear and beloved grandson, Costas (Stephanie) Vasilomanolakis
Alexandra was truly an extraordinary Christian woman. We were blessed having her in our lives and she will be dearly missed.
Alexandra’s daughter, Dr. Joanne Lagos, provided the following information.
(The news clippings below are in the Greek language. They describe Alexandra’s activities during the war, feeding forty ANZAC soldiers, and the recognition she received for her courageous involvement in the Resistance.)
It is the New Zealand Maori battalion that put the Cloak of Honor on my mother.
A cloak that usually gets put onto their Chiefs. Over a period of several days during the 70th anniversary they would put it on her every time they saw her.
The third person in this series was overlooked by the author in her historical fiction novel, Time Pencils. Lola still feels badly about this oversight and seeks forgiveness from his family. Here is a synopsis of the military life of a brave American soldier involved with the Office of Strategic Services, Lieutenant James (Jim, or Dimitri) Simvoulakis.
All photos and information provided with the generous spirit of Greg Simvoulakis
The following information was derived from a paper written by his great niece, Gina Pallios.
Dimitri the Shepherd
My great uncle, James G. Simvoulakis, was born on July 26, 1918 in Reliance, Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming majoring in Geology in 1940 and two years later joined the military on May 4, 1942. Using a letter from the military, a letter to his wife Penny Pallios, a book, and part of a biography, historians can relate him to American history during World War II. James Simvoulakis was connected to history as a first generation Cretan-American that became a spy, prosecutor, and judge for the U.S and OSS during WWII and participated in many missions to help the allies win against the Nazis.
The first documents are letters sent to Simvoulakis by Brigadier General P.L. Sadler (U.S Army) to congratulate him on a successful mission to aid Crete. These letters reveal how he helped in the relief of Greece as an American Spy during WWII. He visited Crete twice, the first time surveying the island before traveling back to Cairo, Egypt (an army base) by boat, and the second to spy on German forces in Chania, Crete. These letters are primary sources created on the 13th and 19th of May 1945 after the Germans surrendered to the Western allies (May 7th), near the war’s end. The first letter awards him for his hard work in Crete and the others were sent to Brigadier General P.L Sadler and the General Commander Land Forces Greece Ronald M. Scobie to praise the Military Liaison. The Military Liaison aided the then impoverished country of Greece to what they had hoped to be on the path to a prosperous future; little did they know Greece would be in an economic decline later on during a Civil War. Using this document we can see how many different nations, Greece, Britain, and America, joined forces to removed Nazi’s from Greece and protected the citizens living there. In addition, we can see where the authors of the letters were stationed as they noted on the top of each letter. However, for security purposes, they did not state the specific locations they were based in with the exception of the first document,
which identified the Balkans. What cannot be seen in the documents is how they aided Greece in their missions. With all the information given, these three documents are a good source of historical evidence as they provided information on how Britain and America worked with Greece to aid the country and the plans for other organizations (UNRRA) taking over the relief of the people of Greece.
The second document is a letter sent by Simvoulakis to my Great-Aunt Penny Pallios (then his fiancé) back in Modesto, California. They were engaged for 3 years while he was in the military and they sent letters to each other frequently. The letter tells historians of his life in Salzburg, Austria as a Judge for the United States Army. The letter is a primary document written on the 24th of July 1945. In this letter, he tells Penny about his new promotion from criminal prosecutor to Judge in Salzburg for the United States Army (for one year) and asks her various questions about life back in Modesto. In his position in Austria, he could not call or send a telegraph back home so letters were his only connection to the family in America and to learn about developments in their lives. From this document we can learn that in the justice system the cases are checked twice, once by the Judge and again by their superiors. This is to ensure that the accused receives a just sentence and that the judges are good for the job. In addition we can see the effects of the war in the people at home when Penny asks Jim if she can use the parachute (the one he used to get onto Crete) to make things out of. His mother was also considering going to the canning factory, a common job for women to go into during this time. Lastly, on the envelope, we can see that all mail coming from soldiers were “passed by censor”, meaning they were checked before they could be sent to make sure no one gave out military secrets. What we cannot see responses of the questions Simvoulakis sent. This is a good source of historical evidence because it shows both the civilian and military life in one letter between a couple. Not only does it reveal struggles of average citizens in Modesto during the war, but it also shows military protocols as well (as higher ranking officers double check judgments in court).
The fourth document is a book written by G.C Kiriakopoulos called The Nazi Occupation of Crete 1941-1945. This book connects Simvoulakis to history by showing his role as a spy for the O.S.S. This book was published in 1995 to tell the story of a man named John Alexander. However, the book also reveals one of Simvoulakis’s missions as well since he went back to Crete with Alexander. The book is important because it tells of his second mission to Crete as he disguised himself as a sheepherder to conceal his true identity of an American soldier so he could transmit German movements from Crete to his contact in Cairo, Egypt. Whenever he went to the village in Fres, he brought sheep with him, thus the people began to refer to him as Dimitri the Shepherd. The book reveals that, after he found abandoned sentry posts on major crossroads, the Germans were sending all their troops to Chania and had to immediately inform his contacts in Cairo that night. It also tells the story of meeting his Yiayia (grandmother) in the Village. He saw her but wasn’t allowed to tell her who he really was as it would have put both of them in danger of being discovered by the Gestapo. What we cannot see in this document is what year/time he was there or for how long. We also cannot see other sections of the book about him because this is only a small portion of his story. This document is a good source of historical evidence as there are portions that explain German movements and political turmoil in Crete, such as an attack that occurred between the Greek People’s Libertarian Army (ELAS) communists and conservative National Organization of Crete (EOK).
Jim’s wife Penny, for whom the jeep was named, had this to say about her husband:
“Jim and I began corresponding and soon after a proposal of marriage ensued. As tradition has it, he also sent a letter to my father, asking permission to marry his daughter. In September 1943 a proxy engagement was held with is father, George Simvoulakis, acting as Jim’s stand-in. The engagement was for three years, as our plans for a wedding upon his graduation were postponed as he was immediately sent to Egypt in 1944 for active duty.
Jim was assigned as an officer in the Office of Strategic Services where he worked with British Intelligence. He was sent to Crete, Greece, twice. The first time, he parachuted into the hills of Crete, buried his chute and explored the entire island before returning to Egypt by boat. Later, he returned to Crete by PT boat and after landing on the rocky shores, he was met by a band of guerilla fighters. Bearded and looking like a local shepherd, he traveled on a donkey while carrying a radio set in a satchel which enabled him to get messages to his camp, reporting the various movements of the German army.
Jim, working with Mr. Petrakogeorgis’s guerilla band, played an important part in the defeat of the Germans in Crete.”
Andarte leaders George Petrakis with Michael Xilouris, 1944
“During his time in Crete, Jim had observed his grandmother Simvoulakis as she picked olives and worked in her garden, but he could not let her know of his identity. One evening, he went to her house, and after greeting her, she prepared a chicken dinner”
(author’s note: Greg said that she killed the chicken that had been providing eggs for her.)
From The Nazi Occupation of Crete, 1941-1945, by G. C. Kiriakopoulos:
“In the village of Fres, not far from Vaphe, and several miles inland from the main highway that led into Khania, First Lieutenant James Simvoulakis, the OSS officer who had returned to Crete…had set up his radio transmitter in a sheepfold high in the mountain above that village.
He had arrived in Fres dressed in the mangy, dirty garments of a mountain sheepherder. Along the way, he had purchased a flock of sheep to better disguise the real purpose of his presence in the area…. All the villagers soon got to know him and referred to him as “Dimitri the Shepherd…
During his trips into Fres, Simvoulakis often paused at a white, austere, stone house on the outer rim of the village and asked its occupant for food. The white-haired old lady who lived in that house was at first suspicious of this raggedy-looking visitor, for he could have been a Gestapo informant. What softened her attitude was that her mongrel dog never barked or snarled at him, but rather greeted him playfully. That fact impressed her.”
To maintain the safety of his grandmother, Jim did not reveal his identity to her at the time. He did, however, return to visit his Yiayia in his army uniform after the retreat of the German army.