EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Military Museum and Souda Bay Allied Cemetery

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Military Museum and Souda Bay Allied Cemetery

This week we were privileged to tour the Military Museum in Rethymno and the Souda Bay Allied Cemetery, along with other attractions. At the museum, we spent a few hours looking and learning about the weapons, uniforms, and military decorations from different wars and eras. I able to further understand the geopolitical strength of Crete. Though only an island, Crete was able to successfully defend itself against 20,00 German paratroopers. I was amazed by how the allied forces overcame the Germans despite not being as advanced in weaponry.

It was cool to see the type of gun Hitler and his wife used to commit suicide. (Picture above)

German Weaponry

Note the differences in the German uniforms versus the Greek uniforms. Germans were clearly far more advanced. It was interesting that the flower on the arms of the German uniforms was an Edelweiss, which grow on mountains under harsh climates. This was to symbolize that the Germans can overcome anything no matter how difficult the environment may be. The allied forces certainly proved that theory wrong!

On Wednesday, we made a quick stop to visit the Souda Bay Allied Cemetery. It was emotional but also very peaceful and surreal. It was moving to see the whole crew of several bomber planes all buried together. The grounds were so beautiful with each headstone covered with flowers. This was a great location to reflect on the lives of the WWII soldiers, sailors, and airmen that sacrificed everything to fight. It was sad to see some headstones stating “believed to be the remains of ******”, meaning they were unknown.

It is really interesting to be visiting a lot of the places that are directly related to the discussion we have in class. I am excited to see what this weekend brings!

Pip pip didlee doo,

Tess

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.