Australia Honors Battle of Crete Anniversary With Commemorative Coins

Monday, 25 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Australia has released a new series of commemorative coins marking the anniversary of the Battle of Crete, the fierce 10-day battle fought in May 1941 when Allied forces, including thousands of Australian and New Zealand troops, defended the island against a German airborne invasion. The coins honor the soldiers who fought and died on Cretan soil, recognizing the deep historical bond between Australia and Crete that persists to this day. For visitors to Crete, this anniversary is a meaningful time to explore related sites across the island. The Battle of Crete Museum in Heraklion, the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda Bay near Chania, and the German War Cemetery at Maleme offer sobering and well-maintained memorial grounds. Local communities in western Crete hold annual commemorations each May, welcoming international visitors to pay their respects alongside Greek and ANZAC descendants.