Officially referred to as “The Hellenic‑Australian Battle of Crete Memorial”, also called the Hellenic‑Australian Memorial Park, is a World War II memorial in Rethymno, Crete, Greece, dedicated to the shared sacrifice of Greek and Australian forces during the Battle of Crete in May 1941.
The Battle of Crete was a fierce engagement between German airborne troops and Allied defenders — including Greek soldiers, Australians, New Zealanders, and British forces — after Germany launched a massive aerial invasion on 20 May 1941. Despite determined resistance, the Allies eventually withdrew, and many were evacuated or captured. The fighting forged strong bonds between the people of Australia and Greece that are still remembered today.
Australian forces in the Battle of Crete
During the Battle of Crete (20 May – 1 June 1941), Australian troops played a vital role in defending the island against the German airborne invasion. Following the evacuation from mainland Greece, elements of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force were stationed on Crete, including battalions from the 19th Brigade, such as the 2/1st and 2/11th Battalions. Their primary responsibility was to defend strategic locations, particularly the airfields at Maleme, Heraklion, and Rethymno, which were key to controlling the island.
The Australians faced intense attacks from German paratroopers and glider troops, encountering fierce fighting under extremely difficult conditions. At Maleme airfield, the 2/11th Battalion initially resisted German landings, but miscommunication and heavy casualties allowed German forces to secure the site. This proved decisive, as it enabled Germany to reinforce their troops by air, ultimately contributing to the fall of the island. Despite this, Australian units at Heraklion and Rethymno mounted determined defenses, holding key positions against repeated German assaults and demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience.
Australian soldiers also worked closely with Greek civilians, who provided shelter, guidance, and intelligence. Many civilians took great personal risks to assist the soldiers, and in some cases joined in the fighting. This cooperation highlighted the strong bond between Australians and Cretans.
The Hellenic‑Australian Battle of Crete Memorial
The memorial consists of a landscaped park with a central monument featuring three pillars. Two rough‑textured limestone pillars represent Greek soldiers and civilians, and a polished black granite pillar from South Australia stands between them to represent Australian forces. The equal size and height of the pillars symbolize unity and cooperation between the Greek and Australian people. Information panels in both Greek and English explain the history of the Greek and Australian involvement in the Battle for Crete.
Visit
The memorial is located on Igoumenou Gavrill Avenue in Rethymno, a town on the northern coast of Crete where significant fighting occurred between Allied defenders and invading German forces.
