Remembering the Battle for Greece and Crete
70th Anniversary Commemorations of the WWII Battle for Greece and Crete
April and May this year mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle for Greece and Crete. When German forces invaded Greece in April 1941 they faced poorly equipped Greek, British, Australian and New Zealand troops who conducted a fighting withdrawal towards beaches near Athens and on the Peloponnese from which they were evacuated. Many were taken to Crete. There Commonwealth forces faced a German airborne invasion. Having come close to defeat the Germans captured Maleme airfield and turned the campaign in their favour again forcing an Allied evacuation. More than 600 Australians lost their lives in the Battle for Greece and Crete while some 5,000 became prisoners of war.
Ceremonies and Activities in Australia
Sydney
Wreath-laying Ceremony – The Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney,
Saturday, 30 April 2011 at 1.00 pm
Melbourne
Church Blessing Service – St Astathios Greek Orthodox Church, Dorcas Street, South Melbourne,
Sunday, 8 May 2011 at 10.00 am
Wreath-laying Ceremony – The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne,
Sunday, 8 May 2011 at 12.30 pm
Community Celebration – The Cretan Centre, Nicholson Street, Brunswick,
Sunday, 8 May 2011 at 2.00 pm
Brisbane
Celebration of the Battle of Crete – Collossus Hall, Jane Street, West End,
Saturday, 14 May 2011 at 7.30 pm
Canberra
Wreath-laying Ceremony – Australian-Hellenic Memorial, Anzac Parade, Canberra,
Sunday, 29 May 2011 at 12.00 pm
Darwin
Church Service and Wreath-laying Ceremony – St Nickolas Greek Orthodox Church,
Saturday, 21 May 2011 at 10.00 am
Ceremonies and Activities in Crete
Thursday, 19 May 2011
6.00 pm – Commemorative Ceremony, Preveli Monastery
Friday, 20 May 2011
10.00 am – Hoisting of Allied Flags, Fortress of Firka, Chania
11.00 am – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Stavromenos Memorial
12.15 pm – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Hellenic-Australian Memorial, Rethymno
1.15 pm – Australian Battle of Crete Exhibition Opening, Rethymno, (Venue TBC)
7.30 pm – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Galatas
Saturday, 21 May 2011
11.00 am – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Keriti Memorial, Alikianos
11.00 am – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Latzimas
6.00 pm – Memorial Ceremony and Wreath-laying, Suda Bay War Cemetery
Sunday, 22 May 2011
10.00 am – Te Deum, Presentation of the Virgin Mary Church, Rethymno
10.30 am – Memorial Ceremony, Wreath-laying and race in honour of heroes who died in the Battle of Crete, College of Police Cadets, Rethymno
1.00 pm – Memorial Service, German War Cemetery, Maleme
7.00 pm – Memorial Service, Wreath-laying and cultural events, Maleme Airport, followed by official closing reception