Crete (Greece) - Historical Sites – World War Two (2024)

When it became clear at the end of april 1941 that the greek mainland could no longer be defended against the superior german forces began an evacuation of the greek and british forces to Greece’s largest island Crete. The geographical location of Crete made the island a suitable place to continue the war against the Axis powers (Germany and Italy). First, the British fleet could start from Crete’s ports and carry out offensive operations against German and Italian targets in the Mediterranean. First, the British air force was able to reach the oil fields of Ploesti, Romania. The oil fields in particular were extremely important for German warfare and therefore Crete became a primary attack target. The imminent attack on the Soviet Union in June 1941 also meant that the germans considered that the southern flank had to be secured. Since the British fleet was superior to the Axis powers, an invasion of Crete could not take place by sea, but if Crete were to be occupied, it had to take place by air.

On May 20, the Germans launched an airborne attack (operation Mercure) against Crete in which about 14,000 paratroopers participated and were released across the north coast of Crete. The main goal was to quickly occupy and occupy the airports at Maleme, Rethymnon and Heraklion. These were to be used in the later stages of the invasion for the transport of both materials and troops to fight the defence in Crete. But the Germans had partly misjudged the defence of Crete and the difficulties of an airborne landing, especially at Maleme, the Germans suffered severe losses. The area was strongly defended and was strategically beneficial to the defenders. The paratroopers were shot at immediately and many were killed before they could even land. The terrain was also to the detriment of the Germans and they became disoriented and split when they landed under heavy shelling. Bitter battles took place at height 107 and at the bridge at Tavronitis below the height. But after the initial day, the Germans began to grasp the situation and secure strategic positions, including the airfield.

The defence of Crete consisted not only of forces of the British commonwealth but also of Greek forces as well as of civilian cretans who promptly interfered in the fighting. Often with a brutality that made them immensely feared by the German soldiers. This inevitably led to German reprisals. The battle of Crete lasted for another two weeks and ended with the British forces being evacuated to Egypt from Heraklion in northern Crete and from Hora Safkion in southern Crete. But the German victory had been immensely expensive. It is estimated that about 22,000 German soldiers participated and of these, about 4,000 were killed or missing. In particular, the paratroopers suffered such heavy losses that the German commander General Kurt Student called the battle a disastrous victory. Hitler himself was convinced after the battle that airborne operations were over and banned similar operations. British losses amounted to about 2,000 killed and about 12,000 were captured while about 18,000 were evacuated.

During the occupation, a party war was fought between the German occupation and partisans. The Germans did not want to go up into the uncertain mountains where the partisans were. The Germans’ response to the brutality and warfare of the partisans became brutal reprisals against the civilian population where villages were destroyed and its inhabitants murdered. Alongside partisans, the British also infiltrated Crete with agents who interfered with the rest of the population and had contact with various Greek resistance groups. In April 1944, a British/greek group managed to kidnap the german local commander general Heinrich Kreipe during a drive. For two months Kreipe was held captive in Crete before they managed to bring him to Egypt. During the occupation, the Germans built extensive defense facilities against a possible allied invasion attempt. Crete was never invaded, however, and when the Greek mainland was liberated in October 1944, Crete was overlooked. Crete’s military importance was non-existent and the small German garrison on the island remained there until the end of the war in May 1945.