The Battle of Pink Hill - Crete, 1941

The book describes how New Zealand (NZ) and Greek Forces (including civilians) defended Pink Hill for 6 days against an elite force of paratroopers and alpine troops who were part of the German Invasion (code-named Unterrnehmen Merkur-Operation Mercury) which began on Tuesday, May 20, 1941.

Pink Hill is one of an arc of small hills known as the Galatas Heights and situated to the south-west of the village of Galatas in Western Crete. Prior to the invasion, it was named Pink Hill by New Zealand’s Colonel (later Major-General) H. Kippenberger after a pink house located near the summit of the hill.

Kippenberger set up his 10 Brigade headquarters on Pink Hill (but relocated to Ruin Ridge when the invasion began) as it was strategically located adjoining the major road into Galatas. He also named the immediately surrounding hills: Cemetery, Wheat, and Ruin.

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