Greece, Australia mark 85-year anniversary of Battle of Crete

Saturday, 16 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greece and Australia are marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, fought in May 1941 when Allied forces including thousands of Australian troops defended the island against a German airborne invasion. The battle lasted ten days and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with Cretan civilians playing a significant role in the resistance. It remains one of the most significant shared historical events between the two nations. Commemorations are held each year across Crete, particularly in Chania, which was central to the fighting. The War Museum in Chania and the Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay are key sites for visitors interested in this history. The Souda Bay Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, is open to the public and contains the graves of over 1,500 Allied soldiers.