Crete Marks 85 Years Since First Nazi Mass Execution of Greeks

Sunday, 31 May 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

The village of Kontomari, near Chania in western Crete, is marking 85 years since one of the darkest moments of the island's World War II history. On June 2, 1941, German forces executed all adult male residents of Kontomari in reprisal following the Battle of Crete, making it the first mass execution of Greek civilians by Nazi troops during the occupation. A commemorative installation called "The Olive Tree of Memory" brings together historical artifacts, photographs, recorded testimonies, and personal documents to honor the victims and preserve their story. Visitors to the Chania region can pay their respects at Kontomari, located approximately 14 kilometers southeast of Chania city. The site offers important historical context for understanding Crete's wartime resistance and sacrifice, a chapter central to the island's modern identity.