Anzac War History in Crete
Australian and New Zealanders, and Cretans, share a remarkably strong historical bond which comes from a wartime alliance that turned into a deep bond of gratitude, respect, and friendship—still strongly felt today.
The Battle of Crete (World War II)
In 1941, during WWII, thousands of Anzacs fought alongside Greek forces—especially civilians from Crete—against the German invasion.
- Cretan civilians protected Australian soldiers
After the Allied forces were overwhelmed, many soldiers were stranded on the island. Cretan villagers hid them in homes, caves, and monasteries—at enormous personal risk.
The Germans executed entire families if they discovered they had helped Allied troops. - Lifelong friendships grew from the war
Many Australian and New Zealand veterans kept contact with the Cretan families who protected them. Some returned to Crete after the war.
There are many Museum/Historical Sites etc. related to the Battle of Crete and the Anzacs on the island of Crete.
Several are listed below. Click on the Buttons to discover more about them. All can be visited on day trips from Kalyves.
Souda Bay War Cemetery
17kms from Kalyves
This cemetery is supervised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Preveli Monastery
70 kms from Kalyves
In 1941, after the Battle of Crete, the monks provided shelter to the Allied soldiers who had not managed to abandon the island and eventually helped them escape to the Middle East.
Askifou Museum
30 kms from Kalyves
After suffering terrible losses during the war, Georgios A. Hatzidakis began his passion to gather all traces of the battle for his homeland, to keep the glorious memory of his ancestors alive and to encourage the younger ones to deal with their history.
Shrine of Peace and Remembrance
70 kms from Kalyves
The erection of the Shrine of Peace and Remembrance in Preveli was West Australian Geoff Edwards’ dying wish, to honor and remember those who gave their lives in the Battle of Crete.
Hora Sfakion
50 kms from Kalyves
Thousands of Allied troops were evacuated from Hóra Sfakíon after the Battle of Crete in 1941.
Chromonastiri Museum
54 kms from Kalyves
This Museum’s permanent exhibition covers the period from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
42nd St Anzac Memorial
15kms from Kalyves
The memorial is on the site where Australian and New Zealand forces fought German mountain troops on 27 May 1941.
Maleme German War Cemetery
30 kms from Kalyves
The cemetery was founded in 1974 by the former German commander Gericke.
Galatos Memorial of 1941 Battle
27kms from Kalyves
This place has a strong New Zealand connection because many New Zealand soldiers were killed in this area.
6th Australian Division Memorial Stavromenos
52 kms from Kalyves
A plaque on the memorial records every major Australian unit that fought the Germans at Stavromenos, at Perivolia. and in the Rethymno area in general.
Hellenic Australian Memorial Rethymnon
40kms from Kalyves
This commemorates the Australian troops as well as the Greek Casualties.
Further Reading
- The Hill – Robert Kershaw
- Where the Flaming Hell Are We – Craig Collie
- Men of Valour – Ron Palenski
- Battle of 42nd Street – Peter Monteath
- On The Run – Ian Frazer and Sean Damar
- Escape from Crete – Charles Jager
- Crete 1941 – David A Thomas
- Kidnap in Crete– Rick Stroud
- The history of the 2/11th (City of Perth) Australian Infantry Battalion, K.T. Johnson
- Greece, Crete and Syria, Australia in the war of 1939–1945, vol. 2, Gavin Long
- An unexpected odyssey: the chronicle of a Field Ambulance Private 1940–1945, Edgar Randolf
- Operation Mercury: the battle for Crete, London, Tony Simpson
- The battle of Crete, London, J. Hall Spencer
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