The Original ‘Race’

26/4/1944

General Kreipe’s car is ambushed. After passing 22 roadblocks Moss’s team heads off on foot while Leigh Fermor goes on to abandon the car.

30/4/1944

Moss and his men arrive at the cave at Vorini Trypa on the south side of Mount Psiloritis. At night they move to Agia Paraskevi, avoiding enemy patrols.

1-13/4/1944

For the next 13 days, the team moves exclusively by night. During the day they shelter and rest in caves and fissures, and behind rocks.

10/5/1944

After scouting the coastline for a suitable landing spot, Leigh Fermor rejoins the rest of the men near the village of Patsos.

13/5/1944

The team shelters overnight at a rocky fissure on the slopes of Mount Kryoneritis before the night push over the mountain to the coast at Rodakino.

14/5/1944

After hiding in the rocks above Peristeres beach, the men descend at night and board a British motor launch. Mission accomplished.

Timeline of the abduction of a German general and the escape that followed