Greece sends delegation to mark 85th anniversary of Battle of Crete

Friday, 8 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greece has sent an official defence delegation to Australia and New Zealand to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, which took place in May 1941. The battle was one of the largest airborne invasions in history, and Australian and New Zealand forces fought alongside Greek and Allied troops to defend the island against German paratroopers. Thousands of ANZAC soldiers lost their lives or were captured during the ten-day battle. For visitors to Crete, this anniversary is a meaningful time to explore the island's World War II sites. The Battle of Crete Museum in Heraklion, the German War Cemetery at Maleme near Chania, and the Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay are all worth visiting. Local commemorations, including wreath-laying ceremonies, typically take place around May 20 to 31 each year.