Australia honors 85th anniversary of Battle of Crete with commemorative coin

Monday, 18 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Australia has presented Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with a commemorative coin marking 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 saw fierce resistance from Greek and Allied forces, including thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, against German paratroopers. Many Australians have deep ancestral ties to this chapter of history, and the gesture reflects the enduring friendship between the two nations. For visitors to Crete, the anniversary is a meaningful reason to explore the island's World War II heritage. The Battle of Crete Museum in Heraklion and the German War Cemetery near Maleme on the north coast are both accessible and well-maintained sites that bring this history to life.