During the Battle of Crete in May 1941, women not only joined in the fight against the invading German paratroopers, they tended the wounded, buried the dead and provided food and supplies for their men and Allied soldiers on the battlefields. During the harsh four-year German occupation, women of Crete sheltered and cared for Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers “on the run”, and participated in resistance activities. They gathered intelligence, provided communication support, carried food, supplies and weapons to resistance fighters and at times took up arms, all this while under the constant threat of reprisal executions. At the same time, they maintained their roles as carers and providers – raising children, making clothes, baking bread, tending goats and sheep, planting and harvesting crops – providing everything needed “more or less out of their own hands”.
Between 2006 and 2020, New Zealand filmmaker John Irwin recorded over 30 hours of interviews with women of Western Crete, wishing to establish a record of their unacknowledged roles in resisting the spread of fascism. These have provided the basis for a series of 6 documentaries with the overall title “Out of Their Own Hands: Women of Crete and the German Occupation”, the first of which will be premièred on Thursday 21st March as part of the commemorative activities for the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
John Irwin filming in Western Crete. Photo: Neoscosmos.com.
Entitled “The Sisters of Galatas”, it tells the stories of the three Tapeinakis sisters, Anna, Vera and Despina, whose lives were turned upside down by the arrival of the German paratroopers in May 1941, the 8-year-old Despina being critically wounded in a bombing attack and only saved by the intervention of a German army doctor.
Details of the showing: Thursday 21st May at 8.00 pm Cultural Centre of Chania Run time 60 minutes Greek language with English subtitles Admission free Sponsored by the Regional Unit of Chania.
The programme for the events commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete includes the customary ceremonies and a number of additional events, the most notable of which is the première of the first in a series of six documentaries on the women of Western Crete during World War II, using material gathered over the past 20 years by New Zealand film maker John Irwin. There are also other film showings, a book launch, and guided tours in English and Greek at the Allied Cemetery and the park of Agii Apostoli, where there was a prisoner of war camp during the German occupation. Full details can be found in the programme published by the Regional Unit of Chania (see link below).
The main events of the memorial week 17th to 24th May are as follows.
Sunday 17th May 2026
11:00: Gouverneto Monastery, Akrotiri – War Memorial – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Speech on the events in the area by a Representative of the Community of Akrotiri Organised by: Municipality of Chania, Gouverneto Monastery.
Built in 1537, the Gouverneto Monastery or Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels is one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. Playing an important role in the struggle against the Ottomans, it was also the scene of Resistance fighting during World War II, when the Germans established a guardhouse there to control the area. Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Monday 18th May 2026
11:00: Municipality of Kandanos-Selino – Memorial to those Executed, Palaiochora – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Speech on the events in the area by the President of the Traditional Association of Selino, Nikolaos Apostolakis. – Rizitiko sung by the Cultural-Traditional Association of Selino – Traditional snacks offered by the Municipality of Kandanos-Selino Organised by: Municipality of Kandanos-Selino.
19:00: Nea Hora Harbour, Chania – Memorial to the Fallen Inhabitants of Nea Hora – Memorial Service – Roll of Honour – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem by the Municipal Band of Chania – Greeting from the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Speech entitled “The Cretan people in the face of the conqueror: the Battle of Crete”, by Giannis Skalidakis, PhD History, Lecturer in the Political Science Department of the University of Crete – Rizitiko sung by the Chania Artistic Association “Kritikes Madares“ Organised by: Municipality of Chania, local bodies of Nea Hora.
Tuesday 19th May 2026
11:00: Municipality of Sfakia – Battle of Crete Memorial, Hora Sfakion – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Sfakia Giannis Zervos – Speech on the events of the period by the UK Ambassador Matthew Lodge – Poems by the pupils of the Primary School of Hora Sfakion – Traditional snacks offered by the Municipality of Sfakia Organised by: Municipality of Sfakia.
19:00: Municipality of Kissamos – War Memorial, Kallergiana junction – Memorial Service – Roll of Honour – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Kissamos Giorgos Mylonakis – Speech with the title “‘Never again’: the single heritage of the war” by Spiros Daudakis, Historian, National Research Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” – Rizitiko sung by the “Ι Kissamos” Association of Rizitiko Singers Organised by: Municipality of Kissamos.
Wednesday 20th May 2026
11:00: Agia – Golgotha Memorial – Memorial Service – Roll of Honour – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Speech on the events in the area by the pupils of the General Lykeio of Nea Kydonia – Traditional songs by the pupils of the 2nd Primary School of Nea Kydonia – Theatrical-dance presentation by the pupils of the Gymnasio of Nea Hora – Historical retrospective and songs by the 7th Experimental Primary School of Chania Organised by: Municipality of Chania, with the participation of the Primary and Secondary Schools of Chania.
The Golgotha monument at Agia marks the spot where executions were regularly carried out by the Germans. The legend reads:”Here, in front of this pole, patriots and warriors of freedom were assassinated by the Fascists during the German occupation, 1941-1945. Photo: Google Maps.
19:00: Municipality of Apokoronas – Agii Pantes – Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation, in Memory of the Battles of Stylos and Babalis (1941) – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Apokoronas Haralambos Koukianakis – Greeting from the Director of the Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation, Michail Vlavogilakis – Greeting from the President of the Regional Press Institute Giannis Garedakis – Speech on the Battle of Crete and the Resistance from lawyer Argyro Koukianaki – Rizitika sung by the Artistic Group “O Apokoronas“ Organised by: Municipality of Apokoronas, Agia Sofia Charitable Foundation, Regional Press Institute.
Thursday 21st May 2026
11:00: Kolymbari – Cadets’ Memorial – Memorial Service – Roll of Honour – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthem – Greeting from the Mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis – Speech by the Director of the 5th Airmobile Brigade “5th Cretan Division”, Brigadier Nikolaos Kostakis Organised by: 5th Airmobile Brigade “5th Cretan Division”, Municipality of Platanias.
20:00: Cultural Centre of Chania – première of a documentary by John Irwin The first showing of the first in a series of documentaries by New Zealand director and producer John Irwin entitled “Out of Their Own Hands: Women of Crete and the German Occupation”. Based on 50 hours of interviews recorded over the past 20 years, the six episodes in the series pay tribute to the strength, resilience and values of a generation of women from Western Crete during the course of the 2nd World War – how they adapted, how they resisted, survived and kept their communities united during those dark times. The first, 60-minute episode is entitled “The Sisters of Galatas” and recounts the story of the sisters Anna, Vera and Despina Tapeinaki from Galatas – 12, 10 and 8 years old respectively at the time – whose lives were brutally transformed by the invasion of the German paratroopers. In the course of one night, the three sisters were thrust into the war and lived through the bombing and the fierce fighting which took place in the streets of their village. Their childhood came to an abrupt end as they became witnesses to death and destruction, supported the local fighters, helped Allied prisoners of war escape to the mountains and later took part in the activities of the Resistance… Organised by: Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Cultural Centre of Chania.
Friday 22nd May 2026
10:30: Firka Fortress, Chania – Ceremonial raising of flags – National Anthems Organised by: Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Chania.
Visit to the Maritime Museum of Crete Inaugural presentation of new exhibits relating to the Battle of Crete, which include: 1) Australian warships which took part in the fighting during the Battle of Crete. 2) 20-cent coins from the Australian Mint commemorating the campaigns in Greece, Crete, North Africa and the Middle East, the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the role of Australian women during the war. 3) Stamp exhibition by the philatelist Giorgos Thomareis on the theme of “Crete 1940-1946: the difficult years before the outbreak of war” Organised by: Australian Embassy in Greece, Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Maritime Museum of Crete.
13:30: 42nd Street Tsikalaria – Monument to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) commemorating the battle of 27th May 1941 – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthems – Greeting and speech by the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Greetings from representatives of the Australian and New Zealand authorities Organised by: Municipality of Chania in collaboration with the Cultural Association of Tsikalaria, Australian ANZAC Memorial Committee.
The 42nd Street Memorial in Tsikalaria, Chania, lies at the point where Tsikalarion Street now passes under the VOAK. On 27th May 1941, the road was the site of a battle between the German 141st Mountain Regiment and ANZAC troops who stopped the German advance, protecting the Allied retreat. The name 42nd Street was applied humorously to what was then a dirt lane by British sappers who had bivouacked there and was incorporated onto British maps (Wikipedia). According to the Greek Herald, the Australian government last month approved a grant of $5,878 (€3,600) which will go towards improving the memorial, including restoration work and the installation of new information signage. Photo: Google Maps.
18:30: Galatas – Greece-New Zealand Memorial – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthems – Greeting from the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Greetings from representatives of the Australian and New Zealand authorities Organised by: Municipality of Chania.
Saturday 23rd May 2026
11:00: Alikianos – Keritis Monument – Memorial Service – Roll of Honour – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthems – Greeting from the Mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis – Speech on the events in the area Organised by: Municipality of Platanias.
18:00: Souda – Ceremony at the Allied Cemetery – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – Flypast by the Red Arrows aerobatic team and an A400M transport plane of the RAF Official arrivals: up to 17:45 Organised by: British Embassy in Greece.
Sunday 24th May 2026
Chania Cathedral – commemorative services 07:00 to 10:00: Holy Liturgy in commemoration of those Fallen and Wounded in the Battle of Crete 11:00: Official Doxology Organised by: Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas, Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Chania.
Old Harbour of Chania ~11:30: Parade of flag bearers of the Traditional Associations of Chania Representatives of the Traditional Associations of the Municipality of Chania will parade around Chania harbour, starting at Talos Square and ending at the Neorio Moro (Chania Sailing Club). With the participation of the Municipal Band of Chania Organised by: Municipality of Chania.
12:00: Red Arrows Air Display Air display by the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team of the Royal Air Force Organised by: British Embassy in Greece, Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Chania, 115 Combat Wing, Crete Naval Base, Port Authority of Chania.
13:30: Maleme – Ceremony at the German War Cemetery – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths Organised by: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Greece.
18:30: Maleme Aerodrome – Closing Ceremony, Battle of Crete Monument Part 1 – Memorial Service – Laying of wreaths – A minute’s silence in Memory of the Fallen – National Anthems Part 2 – Greeting from the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris – Greeting from the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis – Speech by the Mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis – Greeting from the Government Representative – Parachute jumps by the 1st Paratroopers’ Wing – Aerobatics display by a single F-16 of the 115 Combat Wing Organised by: Region of Crete-Regional Unit of Chania, Municipality of Platanias, Municipality of Chania, 5th Airmobile Brigade “5th Cretan Division”, 115 Combat Wing, Crete Naval Base, 1st Paratroopers’ Wing.
A PDF of the original programme issued by the Regional Unit of Chania can be found here: https://www.crete.gov.gr
The events commemorating the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete reached a climax last Sunday with the customary religious service and speech-making at the Battle of Crete memorial within the precincts of the Maleme aerodrome, which concluded with parachute jumps and an air display by a single F16 of the 115th Combat Wing. This year, Haniotika Nea noted, apparently with some disapproval, a total of no less than 42 wreaths were laid at the memorial.
The programme of memorial events to be held this week to mark the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete was published by the Regional Unit of Chania on 8th May. While the pattern of events stays much the same from year to year, there are some interesting variations, particularly in the side events, with this year the addition of guided tours, in both English and Greek, at Agioi Apostoli and the Allied War Cemetery in Souda. The programme is as follows:
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was originally a First World War army corps of the British-led Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, which was formed in Egypt in December 1914 and operated during the Gallipoli campaign. It was disbanded and absorbed into other units during the course of the 1st World War, but reconstituted in 1941 to help with the defence of Greece against the German invasion.
The Regional Unit of Chania has announced the detailed programme for the events commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. As previously announced, the RAF’s aerobatics team the Red Arrows will be participating in the events. However they will not be performing at the final ceremony at Maleme Aerodrome.
The RAF’s aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, will be participating in the events commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete from 20th to 26th May. They will be flying over the Venetian Harbour in Chania where they last performed in 2011, having also given a display at Maleme in 2021. The provisional programme of events, which has still to be confirmed, is as follows:
The events commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete culminated last Sunday, 28th May, with a ceremony at Maleme airfield, one of the main sites of the airborne invasion of May 1941. The event started at 6.30 pm with a memorial service led by Metropolitan Damaskinos of Kydonias and Apokoronas, who was accompanied by representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other clergy. Those in attendance included diplomatic representatives of the Allied nations involved in the Battle – the UK, Australia and New Zealand – military and local political authorities, and large numbers of the general public.
Commemorative services, speeches and the laying of wreaths are among the events included in the programme announced by the Cretan Regional Authority for the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The detailed programme, announced on 14th May, is as follows:
Next week will see the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete, and numerous ceremonial and cultural events are planned in the Chania area. A list of events published by the Cretan Regional Authority is given in a second post.
