HARRIS PARKELL - Malia Trip
Although I can't remember this man's name, I do recall that he was very interested in us, as Americans, working at the nearby intelligence base. Because of the nature of our work and the constant warnings to be ever alert, we were certain he was a communist "spy" who wanted to kidnap us, then use torture to get classified information. So, rather than spending all day in his taverna, the three of us explored the beach and surrounding area.
That trip to Malia Beach with Jim and Walt was memorable in another way. As we climbed along the lava rocks, we noticed something strange in the clear, shallow water. Although none of us could be called historians, we knew that the Germans had occupied Crete in World War II and had mined the beaches to discourage an Allied invasion. Additionally, there had been some vague warnings to us about land mines still existing in various places and to always use caution.
A landmine? This object was photographed through the water at Mallia Beach by Harris Parkell
I had never seen a mine before but it sure looked like one to me. Jim and Walt agreed. So, we thought the prudent thing to do would be to blow it up to keep someone from possibly being hurt. Jim grabbed the largest boulder he could handle and skillfully tossed it into the water, attempting to detonate it. With the only camera, my responsibility was to capture the explosion for posterity, thus proving to our superiors that we had done a service for the Greek people. Walt decided to watch the explosion from a greater distance. Because nothing happened, I always suspected that Jim had missed.
A pensive Walt Mikula
on lava rock at Malia
Malia Beach
Road near Mallia
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