Rhodos

Griechenland, Region Südliche Ägäis, Regionalbezirk Rhodos

Rhodos ist mit 1.401,45 km/qm die Hauptinsel der griechischen Inselgruppe Dodekanes in der Südost-Ägäis. Die Insel bildet seit 2011 die Gemeinde Rhodos und zusammen mit den Inselgemeinden Megisti, Symi, Tilos und Chalki den Regionalbezirk Rhodos in der Region Südliche Ägäis.

Das Zentrum der Insel Rhodos, die 78 km Länge und 38 km Breite aufweist, ist von Athen, der griechischen Hauptstadt auf dem europäischen Festland, rund 430 km entfernt. Von der Nordwestküste der Insel am Rhodos Island International Airport (Diagoras) sind es in Richtung Norden bis zur türkischen Südostküste nur etwa 17,5 km, was die geringste Entfernung der Insel zu Kleinasien ist. Der Westküste sind die kleineren Inseln Chalki (9 km) und Alimia (7 km) sowie weitere sogenannte Schäferinseln vorgelagert.

Im Krieg Makedoniens gegen Athen und Theben stand Rhodos auf Seiten Philipps II. Nach dem Tod seines Sohnes, Alexanders des Großen, wurde es wieder unabhängig. Der Feldherr Demetrios Poliorketes, einer der Diadochen, belagerte Rhodos 305/304 vergeblich.
Zum Dank für die Errettung aus dieser Gefahr errichtete man den Koloss von Rhodos, eines der sieben Weltwunder, etwa 34 m hoch, der aber schon bei einem Erdbeben im Jahre 227 v. Chr. zerstört wurde. Er stand hier einer späteren Legende zufolge über der Hafeneinfahrt zum Mandraki-Hafen.

Rhodos kam ebenso wie andere Inseln des Dodekanes 1948 zum Königreich Griechenland.

Nach dem im September 1943 erfolgten Seitenwechsel Italiens im Zweiten Weltkrieg wurde Rhodos von deutschen Truppen besetzt, die italienische Lokalverwaltung auf der Insel blieb jedoch bestehen. In der Zeit der deutschen Besatzung wurden vor allem militärische Einrichtungen angelegt, wie beispielsweise die Stellungen am Filerimos-Berg oder die zahllosen Bunker an der Ostküste.

Zwar war die jüdische Gemeinde auf Rhodos zunächst von antijüdische Maßnahmen weitgehend verschont geblieben, am 13. Juli 1944 aber ordnete Generalleutnant Ulrich Kleemann, (ein hochdekorierter Mörder, der nie zur Rechenschaft gezogen wurde) der auf der Insel stationierte Kommandant Ost-Ägäis, die Inhaftierung der Juden an. Ein wesentlicher Grund für diese Anordnung war der rasche Verfall der auf Rhodos gültigen italienischen Lira-Währung, der es den deutschen Besatzern zunehmend schwerer machte, die laufenden Kosten für die Besatzung zu decken bzw. die für die Truppe notwendigen Güter einzukaufen. Das Hab und Gut der Juden war daher als begehrtes Tauschobjekt dazu ausersehen, Zahlungsschwierigkeiten und Versorgungsengpässe auf deutscher Seite zu verhindern.

Die Deportation der rhodischen Juden begann am 24. Juli. 1944. Zunächst wurden sie auf dem Seeweg nach Piräus gebracht, von dort erfolgte der Weitertransport per Bahn in das Vernichtungslager Auschwitz-Birkenau, wo sie am 16. August 1944 ankamen. Die Wehrmacht beschlagnahmte den ansehnlichen jüdischen Besitz und finanzierte davon den Unterhalt der deutschen Soldaten auf der Insel.
Insgesamt waren 1.673 jüdische Bewohner von Rhodos und 94 von der benachbarten Insel Kos deportiert worden. 54 Juden auf Rhodos und 6 auf Kos hatten es geschafft, der Deportation zu entgehen. Nur 151 Angehörige der jüdischen Gemeinde auf Rhodos und 12 derjenigen auf Kos überlebten. 1947 zählte Rhodos noch 60 jüdische Einwohner, Kos nurmehr einen.

1947 zählte Rhodos noch 60 jüdische Einwohner, Kos nurmehr einen.

Die Distanz, mit der heute Rhodos der jüdischen Gemeinde und ihrer Synagoge begegnet, könnte damit zusammenhängen, dass etliche Inselfamilien bis heute von den Enteignungen durch die Wehrmacht profitieren, weil sie billig an Läden und Grundstücke in bester Lage herankamen. Nur 151 Deportierte überlebten den Holocaust. Ich bin wahrscheinlich der Letzte, der von den nach Auschwitz deportierten Juden heute noch lebt, sagt Sami Modiano (80) und zeigt zum Beweis die auf seinen Unterarm tätowierte KZ-Nummer. Ich kam mit 13 nach Auschwitz, wo meine Familie ausgelöscht wurde.

Am 13.08.1942 beschießen die zur Allierten Mittelmeer-Flotte gehörenden Kreuzer Arethusa und Cleopatra sowie die Zerstörer Javelin, Kelvin, Sikh und Zulu die Insel Rhodos. Dies war Teil einer Maßnahme, um die deutschen vom Konvoi WS.21P abzulenken.

Konvoi WS 21P war am 17.07.1942 aus Clyde ausgelaufen. Der Konvoi vereinigte sich mit dem Konvoi AS 4 der mit Lieferungen für die 8. Armee in Nordafrika aus den USA kam.

Zum Verband gehörten die Schiffe:
WINDSOR CASTLE (Vice Commodore)
Oronsay
Kaiserin von Japan (Commodore)
Herzogin von Atholl
EMPIRE Pirol
TARN
Herzogin von York
ZAANDAM
HAWAIIAN SHIPPER
SANTA CRUZ
MORMACDALE

Der Konvoi wurde geschützt von:
Zerstörer Buxton (20.07.1942)
Ex USS EDWARDS (Type A - Burnham-Class) built by Bethlehem Steel in Squantum and launched on 10 October 1918. Transferred under UK / US Land Lease Agreement and commissioned at Halifax, Nova Scotia, the RN service as HMS BUXTON on 8 October 1940. She was the first RN warship of that name, the other city is divided by class, such as cities in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Zerstörer Georgetown (22.07.1942)
Ex USS Maddox (Type C - Annapolis class) built by Bethlehem Steel, Fore River. The ship was on 27th Started in October 1918 and finished 10th March 1919. She was transferred to the RN under the US / UK Lend Lease Agreement to 23 September 1940. Before the start she was named HMS MADDOX as the names used by this class of destroyers, for had not been announced .. The ship was later renamed HMS GEORGETOWN cannon that is a name, a city in the U.S. and the capital of then British Guiana. In March 1942, after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in May 1942 this ship was adopted by the civil community of Battle, East Sussex.
July Clyde Escort Force deployment in continuation.
17th as Local Escort for military convoy with HM Destroyer WS21P BUXTON Deployed during
Transition from Clyde in NW Approaches.
(Note: HM Cruiser ORION, HM Destroyer Dutch destroyer Tjerk Hiddes and Nepal were
Ocean Escort for Atlantic passage from Clyde.)
22nd after WS21P of HMS BUXTON Detached and returned Clyde.

Zerstörer Vimy (25.07.1942 bis 27.07.1942)
V-Class destroyer ordered Beardmore at Dalmuir, Glasgow, under the 1916-1917 program build and lay down on 30th June, 1916. Launched on 28 December 1917 as HMS Vancouver was the first RN ship to bear the name, the name of Captain George Vancouver (1757-1798), who remember his name on the island and the city in British Columbia, Canada was. Build on 9 Completed in March 1918 and included a mining capability. Fleet After service in the Grand it was used in the Baltic Sea and participated in actions against the Russian troops while supporting the defense of countries under threat by the Red Army. Later in 1921 she was the first Destroyer in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In April 1928, while placed in reserve, the ship was renamed HMS Vimy in April 1928, can be used by the former name of the Royal Canadian Navy destroyer HMS for the Toreador. The election of the new name was particularly significant because it reminds the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian army in 1917. In 1938 this ship was part of the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this destroyer of the civil parish of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, was adopted.

Zerstörer Nepal (accompanied during the trip to Freetown where the convoy arrived 07/27/1942)
N-class destroyer ordered from John I Thornycroft Woolston, Southampton on 15 April 1939 under the 1939 program. Allocated Yard No. 1203 The ship was on 9 September 1939 set. During the construction work on 18 December 1940 the structure of the fuselage were damaged by a direct hit and two near misses in an air raid. The subsequent repair delayed launch until fourth December 1941. Although the aim of the Royal Netherlands Navy will sell another ship of this class was selected and the destroyer was renamed HMS NEPAL in January 1942 and was the first RN ship to bear the name. After the loss of HM Destroyer Gurkha (ii) in January 1942 this change, a promise by the third Sea Lord of the recognition of the great achievements of Nepal, made to continue the war effort and keep up with the association of the Royal Navy met with both the UK and the Gurkha Regiment, which dates from 1888. Transferred on loan to the Royal Australian Navy ship that was on 11 May 1942 before completion of construction on 29, which may improve the degaussing gear and 20mm Oerlikon cannons to defend against short-range air attacks included fit in order. (Note: Before the ship was transferred, as was HMS NORSEMAN of the civil community of Hartley Witney, Hampshire has after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in February kin) sold for scrap in 1955 remain
Under repair in commercial shipyard. Nominated as part of the escort of military convoy during passage to the Indian Ocean.
17th - Joined convoy in Clyde with HM Cruiser WS21P ORION and Dutch destroyer Tjerk Hiddes (ex HMS Nonpareil) as Ocean Escort during passage to Freetown. (Note: Both destroyers took passage to the 7th Destroyer Flotilla also included to join sister ships HMAS Nizam, Napier and Norman.)
27th - Arrived in Freetown with WS21P.

Zerstörer Tjerk Hiddes (accompanied during the trip to Freetown where the convoy arrived 07/27/1942)
N-class destroyers ordered Denny at Dumbarton with the 1939 program to 15 April 1939 HMS NOBLE of the same class. On 22nd May 1940, the ship in the Netherlands on 18 Sold in March 1941with her ​​sister ship built in the same shipyard. Offer price was £ 400,684 at no cost to Admiralty supplied equipment such as weapons, ammunition and communications outfits. These two ships were assigned to HMS and HMS NORMAN NORSEMAN, whose construction at Woolston, Southampton had to replace delayed by bomb damage to the Thornycroft shipyard. This ship was on 25 Launched in June 1941. It is not known whether she was Tjerk Hiddes Nonpareil but instead of the name at the start they may have given the Dutch name. She was put into service as a commissioned HM ​​Neth. Ship Tjerk Hiddes on 27 May 1942 following the completion on 6 May The RN name was introduced in 1558, replacing the name PHILLIP AND MARY for a Galleon after the conversion .. It was previously built for a WW1 destroyer sold in 1916 and in 1921 used. Tjerk Hiddes was not accepted by any civil community in Britain after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign 1941-42. She was the fourth RN ship to the name that was not used again, because this ship was sold contribute.

Zerstörer Boreas (02.08.1942 bis 06.08.1942)
BEAGLE-class destroyers ordered Palmer's at Jarrow on Tyne in the 1938 build program to 22 March 1929. The ship was on 22 July 1929 and was placed on 11 June 1930 as the 5th RN ship to the name in 1757 for a sixth Wear rate was introduced and recently hired by a trawler WW1.Build used during launch on 20 Completed in February 1931 with a contract value of £ 221,156, the supply of weapons and communications equipment excluded from the Admiralty. Until 1938, the ship served in the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet and then joined the Home Fleet. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 she was from the civil community of Southall, in Middlesex and now accepted part of the London Borough of Ealing.
HMS Boreas (H 77) later Greek HHelMS Salamis - B-class destroyer
HHelMS SALAMIS remained in the Royal Hellenic Navy returned to the Royal Navy in Malta on 10 May 1951. Resuming its former name HMS BOREAS was placed on the Disposal List and sold BISCO on 23 November 1951. She was taken in tow at Charlestown near Rosyth for demolition by Metal Industries and came to the breaker's yard on 15 April 1952.

Zerstörer Duncan (bis 19,08.1942
Ordered D or DEFENDER-Class Destroyer Leader HM Dockyard, Portsmouth second in the 1930 Build Programme February 1931. The ship was on 29 September 1931 and was placed on 7 Launched in July 1932. She was the fifth RN ship to the name introduced in 1805, which had recently sold for a battleship in 1920, has been used to wear. Its construction was on 31 August 1933 provided the propulsion system of Beardmore at a price of £ 139,768 available to complete. The agreed price for commercially-built ships of this class between £ 223,000 and £ 290,000 diverse. After Acceptance Trials and refurbishment of the ship in the Mediterranean as a leader of the first Flotilla served until 1933, when they found in the UK with the flotilla of the China station converted transferred. As Leader of the 8th Flotilla they remained in the Far East until the outbreak of war in September 1939. This destroyer was adopted by the civil community of the district of Angus. Scotland after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings Campaign, 1942.

Minensucher Kommandant Duboc (13.08.1942)
The Commandant Duboc was called a French Elan Class minesweeper of 630 tons displacement in the year 1940. Domine was the commander of two groups of diesel engines Sylzer offers a top speed of 20 knots powered and carried a complement of 100 She was with two 3.9 inch anti-aircraft guns and eight machine guns, six depth charge throwers equipped areas and during the Second World War armed.

Kreuzer Shropshire (bis 19,08.1942)
LONDON-class cruiser ordered William Beardmore at Dalmuir, Glasgow on 17th in 1926 estimates March 1926. On 24th February 1927 she was placed on 5 July 1927 as the first RN ship of that name, who were of the then First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Bridgeman, the local MPs had been selected bear started. The close relationship with the civil community took care of the entire ship's life. Build started on 12 September 1929 and completed its first order they served in the Mediterranean with the first Cruiser Squadron. After conversion in Chatham they charged for the additional service in the same squadron in 1934. During the Spanish Civil War in August 1936 she was a refugee Control Ship in Barcelona. After a renovation, it served again in the Mediterranean, where she was stationed at the outbreak of war with Germany in September 1939.
HMS Shropshire was repatriated in the transfer of British and Commonwealth POW in Japan, used until November 1945 when she relieved by HMAS HOBART in Japan. She wore the Australian contingent UK for the victory celebrations arrived in Portsmouth on 30 May 1946 and return to them in August. After a refit in Sydney, the ship made another trip to Japan prior to the payment in reserve in Sydney in April 1947. During 1954 HMS Shropshire was sold for scrapping in Dalmuir and was dragged into the UK by the Dutch tug Baltic Sea. Breaking up was completed in 1955, Troon.

Kreuzer Orion (bis 13.08.1942)
Leander class cruiser ordered HM ​​Dockyard, Devonport on 24 March 1931 and lay down to 26 September 1931. The ship was on 24th November 1932 and launched on 18th build Completed in January 1934 at a price of £ 1,548,663. In November 1941, after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign she was adopted by the City of Nottingham. During the second World War II, were 13 battle honors awarded for prior to the nine ships that are added to this unique name.
July Prepared for foreign service providers.
17th Joined military convoy in Clyde with HM WS21P Destroyer NEPAL and Dutch destroyer
Tjerk Hiddes such as Ocean Escort during passage to Aden.
27th in Freetown with WS21P
August
13th At Cape Town with WS21P
16th Rejoined HMS WS21P with Nepal and Tjerk Hiddes relieve HM Cruiser
SHROPSHIRE and HM Destroyer DUNCAN such as Ocean Escort to Aden.
29th on arrival off Aden from WS21P house and took passage to join Squadron at Alexandria