Patrick Leigh Fermor

Sir Patrick Michael Leigh Fermor, known as 'Paddy', (born 11 February 1915, London) is a British author, scholar and soldier, who played a prominent role behind the lines in the Battle of Crete during World War II. He is famous in the genre of travel literature.

World War II

He joined the Irish Guards, but due to his knowledge of Greek he was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps and became a liaison officer in Albania and fought in Greece and Crete. During the German occupation he returned to Crete three times, once by parachute. He was one of a small number of Special Operations Executive officers posted to organise the island's resistance to German occupation. Disguised as a shepherd, he lived for over two years in the mountains and led the party that captured and evacuated the German Commander, General Kreipe in 1944. The episode was immortalised in the book and later film, Ill Met by Moonlight in which Leigh Fermor was portrayed by Dirk Bogarde. He was awarded the DSO, was made Honorary Citizen of Heraklion and later of Kardamyli and Gytheio.

Related Topics:
Irish Guards - Intelligence Corps - Albania - Special Operations Executive - General Kreipe - 1944 - ''Ill Met by Moonlight'' - Dirk Bogarde - DSO - Heraklion - Kardamyli - Gytheio

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