WW2 military POW camp on the island of CRETE?

Question

My german grandfather (wasnt a nazi fanatic) was serving in Africa when captured by British (I believe) troops. He was sent to a British run POW camp on Crete. He had pictures of it and I even have the turtle shell that they used as an ashtray. He said the Brits were nice to him and even let him have a dog.
Anyway, I have searched the web for info and the exact location on this and came up with nothing. I was hoping some historian type or international people could help with this.

Answer 1

As you may know the German Army invaded Crete May 20, 1941 and with the parachute infantry leading the way, occupied the island until near the end of WWII.

So any German POW on Crete then would have been returned to the German Army. If he was moved out before May 20, 1941 he would have been sent to perhaps England or elsewhere in North Africa.

Most German pows from the Afrika Korps ended up in the United States. Many thousands here in Colorado where I live.

But whatever facilty was there is now lost. I would expect that the Germans in June 1941 used the British POW camp for the British but do not know.

You should try and locate men from your grandfathers unit as
they may have some recollections. Most soldiers respected the
Afrika Korps, those being British, Australians and New Zealanders.
Good luck on your search.

Answer 2

This does not seem possible. The Germans held Crete throughout the period of fighting in North Africa thus there could not have been a British run POW camp on Crete. To the contrary Allied POWs were held in German run camps on Crete.

Answer 3

The German occupation force on crete surrendered to the allies on May 5, 1945. The occupation troops were indeed British.

Answer 4

Italian troops captured on the mainland were also held at this camp

The camp commandant presided over no food and prisoner abuse and denied Red Cross supplies

Upon liberation by the paratroopers the camp commandant was mutiliated in retribution for his actions

Answer 5

The Nazis particularly did not care in case you've been American or British, yet in case you've been Russian they many times placed you some position else because they hated Russians and made them pay for it.