Australia, Allies Mark 85 Years Since Historic 1941 Battle of Crete

Wednesday, 27 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

The 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete is being commemorated across the island this month, with Australia's Ambassador attending official ceremonies marking the historic 1941 battle. The Battle of Crete, fought in May 1941, was one of World War II's most significant airborne operations, involving Allied forces including thousands of Australian, New Zealand, and British troops alongside Cretan civilians who resisted the German invasion. Commemorations typically take place at war memorials and cemeteries across the island, including the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda Bay near Chania, which holds the graves of over 1,500 Allied soldiers. The Souda Bay cemetery is open to visitors year-round and is a deeply moving site. Local museums in Chania also feature extensive Battle of Crete exhibitions worth visiting during this commemorative period.